Late Tang Dynasty: I

Chapter 305
In the fifth year of the reign of Emperor Da Zhi, November

Li Keyong once again embarked on the journey to crusade against Yunzhou. This year, there was a severe drought in Shanxi, and not much food was collected. If Zhaoyi hadn't made up 20 shi of grain, the Hezhong Army would not even be able to eat.

Without the assistance of Zhang Chengye in history, Li Keyong was in a mess in political affairs. The five thousand Shatuo army stationed in Daizhou actually plundered all the people in the state due to famine, but Li Keyong pretended that nothing happened.

As soon as this example started, the armies in Hedong were like opening Pandora's box, plundering the people of the state one by one. Some troops also fled to Cizhou, Mingzhou, and Chengde to plunder.

The emperor was furious and sent envoys to reprimand the king of Longxi County.

"Since I succeeded to the throne, I have always been a brother of King Li. There has never been a shortage of money and food, and my favor is the best in all towns. However, King Li still invades the country and kills my people. But what does it have to do with the people!"

Li Keyong's face flushed, and he said, "This is all done by my subordinates. I really don't know about this?"

The chamberlain Zhao Xi's face softened slightly and he said to Li Keyong: "Your Majesty loves the people. Prince Li should know about it. The Prince of Wei Bo should know about the affairs of Wei Bo's Yamen army. They are all sent as slaves and they can't live in peace now. Li Hanzhi is here in Ze The state is harming the people, because he was recommended by Prince Li, and your Majesty wanted to give him a chance to make meritorious deeds, but he did not want to repent and sent troops to kill the people of Xuanwu, which resulted in the death of the people and the destruction of the army!"

Li Keyong said helplessly: "Zhao Lishi, the army is about to set out. What do you think I should do now?"

Zhao Xi looked at Li Keyong, made a salute, and said, "This is what Li Kerang did. As long as Li Junwang takes Li Kerang's head and lets his slaves bring it back to Bianliang, I think His Majesty will forgive Li Junwang." The crime of laxity!"

One is lax, the other is rebellion. Zhao Xi has a good sense of proportion, so that Li Keyong didn't feel too much disgust when he heard that his younger brother was going to be beheaded. He has a lot of younger brothers, and there are many who can fight , but it was Li Kerang who caused the trouble.

Seeing that Li Keyong was hesitating, Zhao Xi continued: "The king of the county has hurt His Majesty's heart this time. Your Majesty said that he sent people to govern the four prefectures of Zhaoyi, and handed over the taxes to the King of the County every year. He only wanted the people to live. Now that the money and food have been given, the people will still be slaughtered, so it seems that the taxes don't need to be paid to Hedong any more!"

"No, no, no!" After hearing that the court would no longer provide money or food, Li Keyong jumped up from the bench, "Li Keyong brought the blame upon himself, and it would be no pity to die!"

Zhao Xi smiled and said: "I will report back to Your Majesty right now!"

"Zhao Lishi, wait a moment, I will arrange for someone to get Li Keren's head."

Li Kerang, compared with the money and grain of 40 million guan, Li Kerang made an easy choice.

"Your Majesty has one more thing to do, and I ask Prince Li to fulfill it!"

Li Ke said without hesitation: "Who else needs a head!"

Zhao Xi smiled bitterly and said, "It's not anyone's head, His Majesty only asks for one!"

"who?"

"Li Kexiu's subordinate Guo Chongtao!"

Speaking of Guo Chongtao, His Majesty the Emperor regretted that his intestines were green. This person was right under his nose, and he hadn't found it for a year or two.

If you say that Guo Chongtao is a fierce man, versatile in both civil and military affairs, he is still working as a civil servant under Li Kexiu's account, and has no achievements and reputation.

When His Majesty the Emperor chatted with Fu Cunshen, he talked about Hedong heroes.

Fu Cunshen first recommended Li Siyuan and Li Sizhao as great generals, and then Zhou Dewei, the tiger general of the world, and Guo Chongtao, who planned thousands of miles.

These people are all familiar to His Majesty the Emperor, and he asked them in detail about their experience and positions.

When he asked about Guo Chongtao, Fu Cunshi looked embarrassed, and said: "Chongtao is just a small official under Li Jieshuai, the last general once discussed the art of war with him, it is very strange, he must have a bright future. "

At that time, His Majesty the Emperor was stunned for a long time.

The reason why Li Ke has to use money and food every year is not that there is no capital to turn his face, but that the emperor wants to give it.

There are two purposes. First, to maintain a good ally relationship with Li Keyong and raise this little thug, which needs to be fed.

The second is to ask for things from Li Keyong. No matter how good Li Keyong is, His Majesty the Emperor will look down on him, but the generals under his command are all treasures. If you give him money once, you will need hundreds of soldiers and horses. Or ask for one or two generals.

This time, 20 shi, grain, grass, and 20 coins, if Guo Chongtao is in his hands, he will make a lot of money.

Li Keyong was a little strange. What a coincidence. Guo Chongtao had just been recommended by Li Kexiu and transferred to Jieshuai Mansion as a magistrate. In fact, apart from being honest and honest, he had not found any special talents.

Zhao Xi smiled and said: "It's not a big deal, Your Majesty is good at chess, Wen Chongtao is very good at chess, I just want to be accompanied by the Imperial Academy!"

Li Keyong didn't say anything after hearing this, and said: "It's just a small matter, I'll go back with you!"

Zhao Xi added: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing. Let me ask this servant to ask Prince Li!"

Li Ke frowned slightly, is it a little too much this time?

"Zhao Lishi, please speak!"

Zhao Xidao: "Your Majesty said that the river east has a vast area of ​​thousands of miles, and there are many fields, so it is impossible to support a large army. If King Li needs it, the court can send people who are good at managing government affairs to help King Li manage the place!"

Li Keyong chuckled and said: "Let's talk about it, let's talk about it, haha, let's talk about it..."

The governor of the imperial court is here, and the separation of powers is inevitable. Li Keyong is still sensitive to this matter!

Zhao Lishi didn't insist. After a while, Li Ke's head was put into a brocade box and brought in.

Guo Chongtao was also called out, see the court angel.

Zhao Xi looked at Guo Chongtao. He was no older than a young man, tall, with a white face and black beard. His face was plump and square, with eyebrows as thick as ink. He looked quite upright.

The ancients said: A person is born from the heart, this person has an extraordinary appearance, no wonder His Majesty must want this person!

And Guo Chongtao was also worried at this time, Jie Shuai sent someone to inform him to enter the hall, but he didn't tell him that the court angel was there!

Li Ke said with a smile: "Chongtao, it is a good thing that Your Majesty called you into the court. From now on, you must be careful to serve Your Majesty, and don't make me lose face!"

"This……"

Zhao Xidao: "Your Majesty summoned you to be a Hanlin Bachelor of the Imperial Academy, this is the grace of the world, please take care of your servants more after Guo Dian's incident!"

"Don't dare, don't dare!"

After Guo Chongtao withdrew, Li Keyong said to Zhao Xi again: "Zhao Lishi, this king also has a request, please tell your Majesty Zhao Lishi!"

"Please speak, Prince Li!"

"Does Zhao Lishi know that cotton coat?"

Zhao Xi was stunned for a moment and looked around to see if there was no one around. Zhao Xi unbuttoned his jacket, revealing the cotton clothes and jacket underneath, and said, "This is what Prince Li is talking about!"

"Haha! Exactly!" Li Ke said, "This item is light and warm, and the soldiers in the army love it very much, but there are only a thousand pieces at the Weaving Bureau, which is far from enough!"

(End of this chapter)