Chapter 203 The Rebellion of the Liao People in Lingnan
The Imperial Palace.
Li Shimin held a cup of tea, in a very good mood.
Li Yuan has left, and Xiao Wei is in jail...
Does Lao Wei still dare to criticize me?
Dare to utter a single word, and I'll make sure Xiao Wei never leaves this place again...
“Xuancheng, Shuyu is not being honest.”
Li Shimin reprimanded him with a stern face: "I issued the decree yesterday, and he only went to the prison today. He has no sense of self-discipline at all."
"His Majesty."
Wei Zheng stood up, his back slightly bent: "Do you think this jade pendant of mine is beautiful?"
"..."
Li Shimin's smug smile froze instantly.
You bastard.
I will retrieve the jade pendant sooner or later.
"Your Majesty, an urgent report from Lingnan!"
"Bring it here."
When he saw that there was something important to discuss, Li Shimin reverted to his majestic imperial self.
Li Shimin unfolded the memorial, glanced through it, and his brows furrowed more and more deeply.
"You bastard!"
He slammed his hand on the table one last time, his face turning ashen.
"Your Majesty, what has happened?"
Wei Zheng's face showed a solemn expression.
There's only one possibility that could anger Li Shimin in Lingnan.
"The Liao people have rebelled!"
Li Shimin gritted his teeth: "They are clearly subjects of my Great Tang Dynasty, yet they rebel every day, every year..."
"A bunch of uncivilized bastards! If they anger me, I'll slaughter them!"
Li Shimin gritted his teeth.
"Your Majesty, please watch your words."
Wei Zheng bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation!"
"Since you acknowledge that the Liao people are subjects of the Tang Dynasty, you should not insult your own people in this way."
"If this gets out, it might damage the Emperor's authority!"
"It will further incite the fierce rebellion of the Liao people..."
Li Shimin snorted coldly.
You don't know the cost of firewood, rice, oil, and salt until you're in charge of the household.
The Lingnan region alone consumes 10-20% of the Tang Dynasty's tax revenue every year.
With this much money, I could slaughter several small countries and expand my territory.
Unfortunately, the Liao people live in mountainous and forested areas, where there are many snakes, insects, rodents, and miasma...
The Tang army could not penetrate deep enough to destroy them!
"We can't kill them, but are we just going to let them go?"
Li Shimin slammed his hand on the table: "Tell me, the Liao people attack prefectures and counties from time to time, and in the end, aren't the people of my Great Tang suffering the most?"
"Your Majesty, I discussed this matter with Feng Ang before..."
Wei Zheng considered for a moment and said, "The Liao people follow the ancient system, with tribes as the main body and each person making a living independently!"
"Many people live in the mountains for years and don't know anything about life outside."
"In the past, Confucius traveled around the states, teaching and enlightening the people!"
"That's how the etiquette and rituals of the Tang Dynasty came about!"
"I believe Your Majesty should send someone to Lingnan to be responsible for educating and civilizing the people there!"
Li Shimin frowned in deep thought.
This proposal is good, but it will be very difficult to implement.
Education cannot be accomplished overnight.
Confucius is remembered throughout the ages for this reason.
His disciples were the biggest contributors!
"Never mind, we'll discuss this at the court meeting."
Li Shimin thought for a moment and said, "Xuancheng has worked hard these past few days. Prepare the proposal for educating and civilizing Lingnan."
"promise."
Wei Zheng bowed and accepted the order.
This is simple.
Educating the people of Lingnan is a great merit, and many officials want to be remembered in history, so there shouldn't be much of an obstacle.
"Issue the imperial decree: Order Niu Jinda and Zhang Shigui to proceed to the Lingnan prefectures to quell the rebellion of the Liao people!"
As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, Wang De immediately ran to the side to draft the imperial edict.
After the draft was prepared, it was submitted to Li Shimin for review and then stamped with his seal.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Just then, a commotion arose outside the hall.
Li Shimin frowned.
The voice was so familiar; he had heard it just that morning.
Fang Yi'ai was dragged in by Li Junxian...
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Li Junxian clasped his hands in a fist salute, and seeing Fang Yi'ai glaring at him, he raised his hand and smacked him on the head.
Fang Yi'ai pouted...
You bastard, you're the most blind person in the entire palace.
Sooner or later, I'll put you in a royal sack.
"What is it?"
Li Shimin's authoritative question.
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened..."
Fang Yi'ai immediately cried out, "Someone is planning to attack the Emperor Emeritus!"
"What?"
Li Shimin stood up in shock.
Li Yuan could die, but he absolutely could not die on his way to Jiucheng Palace.
If anything goes wrong, he'll definitely be blamed.
Li Yuan left home in the morning and died in the afternoon.
If we don't suspect him, who should we suspect?
"Where did this news come from, and is there any basis for it?"
Li Shimin sat back on the dragon throne, his face grim as he questioned him.
"Your Majesty, this is what happened..."
Fang Yi'ai then recounted what had happened in prison.
Snap!
Li Shimin slammed his hand on the table.
"How dare you believe the words of a mere prisoner in jest?"
Li Shimin was furious.
I thought it was some kind of news, but it turns out it was told by a prisoner.
"Li Junxian, drag Fang Yi'ai away and give him thirty strokes of the cane!"
Holy crap.
Fang Yi'ai was dumbfounded.
My older brother sent me to report this, he didn't say I was going to get a spanking.
"His Majesty."
Just then, Wei Zheng stepped forward again: "A sudden gust of wind may not be without cause."
"It's just a matter of sending someone to investigate; it won't take much effort."
"The safety of the Emperor Emeritus is of utmost importance!"
Fang Yi'ai cast a grateful glance at Lao Wei.
Then, as if remembering something...
Breaking free from Li Junxian's restraints, he stepped forward and bowed...
"Your Majesty, it's alright if you want to hit me."
Fang Yi'ai revealed a look of resignation to his fate: "But the Emperor Emeritus has been good to me. For the sake of the Emperor Emeritus, I urge Your Majesty to treat this matter with caution."
Huh?
Has this guy finally figured it out?
They can speak human language now...
Li Shimin looked surprised.
Fang Yi'ai bowed his head, but in reality, he was muttering to himself...
Please don't spank me...
When I get home, I'll cling to my father's leg and ask him to plead with His Majesty on my behalf.
"If that's the case..."
Li Shimin solemnly ordered, "Junxian, go and make the trip."
"promise!"
Li Junxian clasped his hands in acceptance of the order, then turned and left.
Li Shimin stared at the teacup, unable to look away for a long time...
Just a moment ago I was in a pretty good mood, how did it suddenly turn so bad?
Hu County.
Liang Jianfang has been living a comfortable life lately...
Wei Shuyu is gone; he is now the highest-ranking official in Hu County!
What is most abundant in Hu County?
merchant!
What do merchants have the most of?
money!
The merchant had to flatter him vehemently.
Fine wines, beautiful women, rare treasures... all were sent to him.
but……
Would Liang Jianfang, who is known for his incorruptibility, accept bribes?
Won't!
However, I have a cousin in Hu County...
Huh? You don't understand what your cousin means?
My cousin lives a very hard life, she's penniless, do you understand?
at this time.
Liang Jian stood at the city gate, beaming, and greeted everyone with a smile.
No need to do anything.
All you need to do is show your face at the city gate.
Many merchants will then go to help their cousin...
"Dismount, you who come here!"
Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out at the city gate.
Liang Jianfang was furious.
Dare to cause trouble in Hu County?
"Bring Liang Jianfang out here!"
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Liang Jianfang paused in his stride.
Then he turned around and left.
This little devil's visit is never good news.
"stop!"
Choi Shin-ki happened to see him.
Then……
Liang Jianfang walked even faster.
"Little Shan, let's get him!"
Qin Shandao charged forward, but before he could make a move...
Swish.
Liang Jianfang turned around.
A smile as bright as a chrysanthemum bloomed on his face: "Oh, it's Shandao! What brings you to Hu County today?"
He was a military general.
You can disregard the gentry's reputation, but you cannot offend Qin Qiong.
"I order you to assemble your men immediately. There is an urgent mission!"
Choi Shin-ki gave the order with a serious expression.
"What mission?"
Liang Jianfang agreed, but gathering manpower wouldn't suffice.
"Stop talking nonsense."
Choi Shin-ki shouted sharply, "Quickly assemble your men and head to Xianyang Bridge!"
"No, it won't work..."
Liang Jianfang spread his hands: "Without orders, I cannot move troops away from Hu County without authorization."
"This is the order from the Great Cauldron!"
"It still doesn't work!"
"Wang sighed."
Choi Shin-ki glared at him, angry: "Believe it or not, I'll put you in a royal sack?"
"hehe……"
Liang Jianfang crossed his arms and sneered.
"Damn it, Xiao Shandao, go to the Liu residence behind the county government office and bring back a woman named Liu Qingqing..."
Holy crap!
Liang Jianfang's eyes widened.
These little brats were definitely staring at my... cousin!
"etc……"
Liang Jianfang panicked.
"Will you agree or not?" Choi Shin-ki demanded angrily.
"Even if I agree, it won't make a difference..."
Liang Jianfang said with a bitter face, "Xianyang Bridge is in Xianyang. Without the necessary documents, the soldiers cannot cross it."
Well……
Now it was Choi Shin-ki's turn to be dumbfounded.
By the time the customs clearance documents arrive, it's too late...
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