Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 456 Voted!

Tongwan City.

As soon as the two markets opened, they were instantly packed with people.

Over the years, Tongwan City gradually replaced Lingwu City and became the most important city in the former Zhou territory occupied by the Han State.

The main reason is its terrain. After taking Yinzhou, there is no need to go north to go to the Han mainland from the new territory. You can just cross the river directly. The greatest achievement of Xu Yuan, the former governor of Xiazhou, was to open up the ferry from Guizhen to Hebei. He ordered people to clear the forest and build roads here, set up a ferry, and divert the water flow upstream, set up camps on both sides of the river, greatly shortening the distance between the two places.

Many merchants speaking Hebei dialect sell goods here.

Among the dense crowd of pedestrians, there was a burly young man accompanied by two old men, looking around at these novel goods.

Several people came to a stall.

Liu Taozi picked up the fruit on the stall and was a little surprised.

"It's not even summer yet, how come there are peaches?"

The merchant laughed and said, "Your Excellency, you may not know that fruits in the north ripen late, while fruits in the south ripen early. These are all brought from the south."

"From the south?"

"How long will it take?"

The merchant's eyes sparkled, "It's a huge expense. We've been on this journey for a long time. Several large ships of peaches were transported here, and only these are left. They are extremely precious."

Before the merchant could finish his words, Zu Ting, who was standing behind Liu Taozi, started laughing.

"This is clearly the early peach of the Pseudo-Zhou Dynasty, how come it became a southern peach?"

"Don't you think you know what a noble man is?"

The merchant's expression changed, "My lord, it's really Nan Tao."

Zu Ting lowered his voice and looked straight into the other person's eyes.

"You must give us a few today, otherwise, I will yell that you are Zhou Tao!"

"You! I am Nan Tao! Whatever you say!"

"As a Han Chinese, you actually sold Zhou peaches. This is clearly treason. Besides, why don't you sell anything else? You actually sold peaches. The king of today is named Tao. You are clearly treasoning the country and selling out the emperor!"

The merchant's face changed drastically and he began to tremble with fear.

"me"

"Why do you bully me, Grandfather?!"

Wei Xiaokuan, who was standing on the other side of Liu Taozi, couldn't stand it anymore. He took out some money from his sleeve and threw it to the merchant, "Ignore this man, he is joking with you."

“I bought these peaches!”

"Thank you, thank you!"

The hawker thanked him repeatedly.

Wei Xiaokuan picked up these and looked at Zu Ting with a somewhat unfriendly look. Zu Ting shrugged his shoulders and said, "I just bullied a dishonest businessman. How can that be considered as bullying the people?"

Wei Xiaokuan gave the peaches to Liu Taozi but not to Zu Ting, and the two ate them while walking.

Liu Taozi looked around and suddenly asked, "Mr. Wei, have you made up your mind now?"

Most of the people captured from the Zhou State, except those who were too ill to travel, had been sent to Yecheng. However, Wei Xiaokuan was not among them because Zu Ting believed that Wei Xiaokuan could be subdued.

Liu Taozi asked very directly, and Wei Xiaokuan didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Zu Ting snorted coldly, "Wei Gong is a true gentleman, how could he do such a betrayal? In the past, he and Dugu Xin were so close that they were known as the pair of brothers! But when Dugu Xin was forced to death by Yuwen Hu, Wei Gong said nothing, which was truly a sign of loyalty! How could such a loyal man defect to the lord? I think the lord really has this question in mind."

Wei Xiaokuan considered himself a very cultured and well-mannered person, but he really couldn't tolerate Zu Ting.

This guy's words are so poisonous and mean.

But he didn't want to argue with this guy. He felt it would be an insult to himself if he did.

Wei Xiaokuan simply looked at Liu Taozi, "Your Majesty is planning something big, and the country is full of talented people, so you don't need a minister."

"If everyone in the world thinks the same as you, then I will have no capable people to use under my command."

"I have no shortage of capable warriors or people who can rule the government, but I cannot find wise men to govern the local areas. I have 19 provincial governors under my command. They are all in charge of a certain area. They are talented and have impeccable morals. They are the basis for me to defeat powerful enemies time and time again."

"Since I changed the system in various places and appointed wise men as governors, the Han State has rapidly grown stronger and no one can stop it."

"Not long ago, I lost a governor."

"Xiazhou Governor Xu Gong has passed away."

"You may recognize him."

The three of them walked slowly in the bustling city, but Wei Xiaokuan saw some sadness on Liu Taozi's face.

"Mr. Xu is a very talented person. He arrived in Xiazhou not too long ago, but he opened up the traffic here. It is all because of his contribution that Tongwan City has so many merchants today."

“It’s not easy to find someone who can replace him.”

Wei Xiaokuan was stunned and asked in disbelief: "Your Majesty wants me to take charge of Xiazhou???"

"If Lord Wei is willing to surrender, I would like to let him be the governor of Xiazhou."

At this moment, Zu Ting pretended not to hear anything and narrowed his eyes.

Next, whether Wei Xiaokuan is alive or dead depends on how he answers.

Although Zu Ting slandered Wei Xiaokuan verbally, he was the one who proposed to keep Wei Xiaokuan.

If Wei Xiaokuan was willing to surrender, there would be many benefits, not only for his own talents, but it would also be a huge blow to the Zhou Kingdom. If he surrendered, he would be the first Duke of Zhou to surrender to the Han Kingdom.

As for the governor of Xiazhou, huh, my lord and I are both here, so why should we be afraid that Wei Xiaokuan will do something here? ?

But if he still doesn't agree, Zu Ting will find a way to kill him. Even if his lord doesn't allow it, he will kill him. This guy is cunning and if he doesn't agree, he will inevitably collude with other people in the future and make his rear uneasy. It's better for him to die.

Zu Ting lowered his head, waiting for Wei Xiaokuan's answer.

Wei Xiaokuan was extremely shocked at this moment.

He knew that the governors of the Han State were different from those of the Zhou State.

Does Liu Taozi trust me to this extent?
As long as you are willing to surrender, you will be granted the title of Governor of Xiazhou?

Seeing Wei Xiaokuan who was obviously a little shaken, Liu Taozi pointed around and said, "Mr. Wei, look around. When you were in charge of Xiazhou and fought against me, was it like this?"

"The world has been in turmoil for hundreds of years. Don't you want everyone in the world to live in peace?"

"Personal integrity is certainly important, but it is incomparable when compared with the ambition to pacify the world and save the people."

"What does Lord Wei think?"

Wei Xiaokuan gritted his teeth and lowered his head suddenly.

"I am willing to follow Your Majesty and pacify the world!"

Liu Taozi quickly grabbed him and stopped him from greeting her with a formal ceremony. Liu Taozi looked around and said, "Don't scare others."

"only."

"Now that we have the help of Lord Wei, why should we worry about the unrest in the world?"

"Let's go, I'll treat Lord Wei to a meal."

Liu Taozi was in a good mood, and Zu Ting also put aside his killing intent. After they left the city, the three of them came to a restaurant. Zu Ting even deliberately asked, "Could this restaurant have something to do with Lord Wei?"

Wei Xiaokuan stroked his beard and said, "Grandfather, just eat your food with peace of mind. There is nothing wrong."

The three of them started eating like this, and for some reason, Wei Xiaokuan felt a lot more relaxed.

While eating, Wei Xiaokuan suddenly said: "Next, Yuwen Xian will definitely retreat to Hanzhong. This is a great opportunity for us to seize the northern land."

Liu Taozi paused, looked up at him, "If Lord Wei doesn't want to go against his former master, he can just focus on governing Xiazhou and not get involved in these things." Wei Xiaokuan shook his head, "Since you have surrendered to Your Majesty, why bother pretending?"

"I surrendered to Your Majesty to pacify the world, not to save my life. As Your Majesty said, what does my reputation count for in order to pacify the world?"

"Mr. Wei, the Great Sage!!"

It was Zu Ting who started to praise at this moment.

Wei Xiaokuan continued the story. When it came to the State of Zhou, Liu Taozi and Zu Ting combined did not know as much as Wei Xiaokuan.

"After Your Majesty conquered Chang'an, the Zhou Kingdom was in chaos and the government was gone. Yuwen Xian took Chang'an, but it was like a chaotic army entering the capital, and he lost control of the country."

"Besides, rumors are spreading everywhere right now. If I'm not mistaken, this should be the plan of our ancestors?"

Zu Ting laughed, "Are you talking about the incident where Yuwen Yong was killed by Yuwen Xian?"

"Yes, I sent people to inform various places."

Wei Xiaokuan was silent for a moment, and then continued, "When I was a captive, I heard these things from others. I think my grandfather sent a lot of people."

"Yuwen Xian can no longer defend Guanzhong. No matter when Your Majesty sends troops, Yuwen Xian will surely be defeated."

"Yuwen Xian's only escape route is in Bashu."

"When Yuwen Xian was young, he governed Bashu and was very famous there. At present, the Duke of Shu, Yuchi Jiong, is very close to him. If he wants to find a way out, there is no other place except Bashu."

"As for the Chen people, I think Yuwen Xian will send someone to persuade them. Chen Xu is a man with great ambitions but little talent. He is easily persuaded. I'm afraid he will no longer work with us in the future."

"Before Yuwen Xian withdraws, we should send troops to capture the north. I know that it is spring planting season and food is in short supply. There are not many soldiers in Xialing and Xialing. However, it does not take too many soldiers and food to capture the north. Most of the officials in the north are unwilling to flee to Bashu. If your majesty is willing, I will lead an elite force to Yanzhou and capture the prefectures and counties along the way for your majesty."

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war. As long as we send troops to persuade Yuwen Xian to surrender before he can pacify the people, I think most of the states and counties can be captured without fighting."

Yuwen Xian did not know the information about the counties and prefectures, but Wei Xiaokuan did.

Of course, all the confidential documents are with Liu Taozi. Their understanding of the Zhou State has surpassed that of Yuwen Xian's group. They know exactly where the water is, where the roads are, and which local officials are from which place. Liu Taozi knows it clearly.

Zu Ting pondered for a moment and asked, "Doctor Wei means that we should not wait until autumn, but should send troops to conquer the north now?"

"Now is the right time to attack."

"If we insist on waiting until after the autumn harvest to send out troops, Yuwen Xian has capable people around him, and officials from all over the country have already been appeased by him. By then, we will be facing an enemy that is united, can support and cooperate with each other, and can fight according to the orders of the court. If we send out troops now, we will be facing a scattered enemy that has lost contact with the surrounding area and the court and is in a state of panic."

"Your Majesty should know the strengths and weaknesses of these two."

"I only need three thousand elite cavalrymen to conquer many counties in the north for Your Majesty, so that Yuwen Xian will not dare to stay any longer and will flee in panic."

Zu Ting looked at Liu Taozi at this moment and said, "I am willing to go and help Lord Wei."

Liu Taozi didn't rush to speak. He asked, "Doctor Wei means that we can't wait for Yuwen Xian to leave on his own, but force him to retreat earlier?"

Wei Xiaokuan said seriously: "Although Bashu is rich, its grain depots, arsenals and manpower are all in Guanzhong first. If Yuwen Xian wants to evacuate, he must take these things with him. If he is forced to evacuate, it will be too late. If these things are given to Yuwen Xian, he can continue to recruit troops after returning to Bashu and continue to resist by relying on the natural defenses. But if they fall into our hands, Yuwen Xian will only have the natural defenses, and with the power of Bashu, it will be difficult for him to compete with the heavenly soldiers."

"Ah."

"I see."

"Let's do as General Wei thinks."

At this time, officials from Liangzhou and Ganzhou also arrived in Tongwan City one after another.

Huluxian's affairs in the northwest also caused controversy among the ministers in Xiazhou.
After the Han Dynasty occupied a place, it always had to carry out reorganization first, such as cleaning out temples and powerful people, punishing large families, etc. Whenever it arrived at a place, it would first clean it up and then send people to govern it.

But this time, Hulu Xian went against the tradition of the Han Dynasty. After arriving at the place, he not only did not attack the locals, but drank and chatted with them.

Although the border was recovered quickly, even without fighting, it still caused considerable controversy.

For example, Gao Yanzong clearly stated that although Hulu Xian seemed to have recovered the northwest smoothly, he had left great hidden dangers in the local area.

Therefore, before these surrendered officials arrived, everyone held several discussions in front of Liu Taozi.

Zu Ting felt that there was nothing wrong with what Huluxian did.

The Han Dynasty today is not the Han Dynasty of the past. The most important issue now is to recover these areas before Yuwen Xian. Hulu Xian appeased the local people and quickly took over the northwest. As for the cleanup, it can be done after the Zhou people are defeated. The new officials are on the way. Wait until these people take office and slowly clean up. Will the effect be the same?

However, the people headed by Gao Changgong felt that if they tolerated these evil people in the beginning, it would not be so easy to clean them up in the future. The enemy's strength was not strong in the first place, so they should just take action directly when it is time to do so. Why should they use soft means to accomplish it?

Amid the controversy, these Liangzhou officials formally paid a visit to Liu Taozi.

The leader was naturally the former Wuwei prefect Guo Jin.

The temporary palace in Tongwan City was extremely simple and looked like a large parade ground. It lacked the magnificence of a palace at all.

There were fences on both sides of the palace, where many soldiers were stationed and conducting training.

The entrance was also quite simple, but the soldiers were quite elite.

Walking in from the entrance, you can see many houses. These houses are not too tall, nor luxurious, but ordinary and there is nothing surprising about them.

Upon learning that the King of Han now lived here, the officials who came were all very surprised.

This looks even worse than their office in the northwest!

The surrendered ministers looked at each other. Although they didn't dare to speak, their expressions were different.

Led by the soldiers, they lowered their heads and walked quickly towards the innermost house.

Only after passing two earth walls did the houses gradually become taller.

They were taken to a hall, and after a soldier reported to them, they were able to go in and meet Liu Taozi.

This was the first time everyone saw Liu Taozi.

In the past rumors about the Pseudo-Zhou Dynasty, Liu Taozi was portrayed as a massacrer, and even worse was done by Erzhu Rong, a cunning, vicious and brutal Khitan.

Everyone was a little scared and didn't know what they were about to face.

"Your Majesty, your servant Guo Jin pays respect to you!!"

Everyone called out their names one by one, and then bowed to greet him.

Liu Taozi sat in the upper seat and received their greetings.

"You don't have to be afraid. When I persuaded you to surrender, I promised you that I would never kill anyone who surrendered. I will never break my oath."

"Besides, you have saved Liangzhou from war and prevented spring planting, which is a great achievement. I will reward you."

Liu Taozi first calmed down these frightened people.

Then, he said, "However, since you have just surrendered, the Pseudo-Zhou has not yet been pacified, and there are many battles on the front lines, I still have to temporarily move you to Yecheng until the north is pacified, and then the Ministry of Personnel will make appointments and dismissals. What do you think?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!!"

Everyone shouted.

Although Liu Taozi was not as kind and courteous as Huluxian, he was indeed not as scary as the rumors said.

After Liu Taozi finished talking about the main business, he asked everyone to take a seat and then asked about the affairs of Liangzhou.

There were more than thirty people present here, all of whom were the first to surrender or had made great contributions in the process of surrender. However, when faced with Liu Taozi's questions, their answers were particularly unified.

The first question is that the people of Liangzhou were living in dire straits under the rule of the Pseudo-Zhou Dynasty until the arrival of heavenly soldiers to save them.

They all found nice words to fool Liu Taozi.

Only one young man said something different.

"Lianggan is adjacent to the Western Regions, which is also a treasure land. In the past, a large number of Western Region merchants came here every year, and they brought many good things. However, in recent years, the Turks have gradually become stronger, forcing the Western Regions to obey and forbid them to trade privately."

After he spoke, it seemed as if everyone had grasped the pain point of the Pseudo-Zhou and began to criticize it for its close contacts and marriages with the Turks, and for allowing them to grow bigger outside their own country.

Liu Taozi just wrote down the young man's name and didn't say anything more.

The banquet ended hastily, but Wei Xiaokuan and Zu Ting had already gone to Yanzhou.

ps: I would like to offer you a book by a friend, "Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian", which I heard contains quite exciting content
(End of this chapter)