"Old man, may I ask why there are so many people here?"
Li Xingyun reined in the reins and leaned over to stop an old man who was hurriedly heading north.
When the old man saw this handsome young man riding a tall horse and wearing an indigo four-clawed python robe, he was frightened at first. In addition, when I saw several tall sword-wielding guards accompanying them behind me, I couldn't help but feel a little scared.
"Don't be afraid, old man. This is my brother, His Highness King Xin."
Someone reassured.
After saying this, the old man's eyes lit up. He looked Li Xingyun up and down first, then smiled and was no longer afraid.
"His Royal Highness just arrived in Hebei, right? Yesterday, His Majesty had someone put up a notice saying that he was going to Taiyuan to do something..."
"Infrastructure!"
A person passing by chimed in.
"Yes, yes! If we start infrastructure construction and finish the construction in one month, we will be able to obtain ten acres of farmland!"
Li Xingyun straightened up and looked a little stunned when he saw that both sides of the road were full of young and strong elderly men hurriedly heading north.
He seemed to remember something and asked, "Is the old man going alone?"
The wrinkles on the old man's face laughed, and he waved his hand: "I have a wife who has taken her grandson to Taiyuan a long time ago. Now she is cooking for those of us who are going to work. From now on, we will still work. Can I get some food?"
After saying that, the old man didn't want to talk any more. He watched the flow of people continue to go north, feeling a little anxious. His back, which was already a bit stooped, straightened up. After hurriedly resigned to Li Xingyun, he rejoined the flow of people.
Li Xingyun fell into deep thought and asked a few followers to follow him and get out of the way of the main road so as not to hinder the people from going north.
The day before yesterday, he was dismissed from his post as deputy envoy of various waterways in Hebei and was summoned to go north to Taiyuan.
But he had a lot of complicated things on his hands, so he delayed his departure from Luzhou until today. Unexpectedly, he was shocked by the flood of people he saw.
Nowadays, all the main roads in Hebei are in ruins, and refugees are starving everywhere. There is only one reason for the sudden influx of such a large number of people - a group of people who crossed from the south are heading north again.
There may even be people from Henan who heard about this policy and crossed over to the north.
It is conceivable that this group of people who can be regarded as spontaneously migrating north will add much vitality to the almost destroyed Hedong.
Li Xingyun and his entourage had been quietly watching the flow of people slowly going north by the roadside.
Since Li Keyong took charge of the three Jin lands in Hedong, he has basically ignored people's livelihood. Even the official road leading directly to Taiyuan is full of potholes and is quite dilapidated.
】
Therefore, they can only wait and let the tide pass first.
Until a carriage, guarded by more than ten guards in golden robes, slowly stopped in front of them.
While he was frowning, Li Xingyun saw a middle-aged official in a scarlet robe coming out.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to His Highness King Xin."
The former was slightly surprised. When he saw a strand of white hair peeking out from the side of the official's head, he got off the horse and cupped his hands: "I wonder who you are?"
The middle-aged official laughed and waved a feather fan: "Jingxiang, the lower official, has been serving as a servant to the Holy Master for a long time. It is normal for His Highness King Xin not to know the official..."
Li Xingyun suddenly realized it, and then solemnly handed over his hand.
This guy has become famous recently.
Throughout the Northern Expedition, this man made many plans, and every plan was sure to succeed. It can be said that he won the trust of Emperor Li Jing. In addition, after the war, he was also appointed by Li Jing to inspect the towns in Hedong. And one thing must be mentioned - he has the privilege of killing officials below the sixth rank first and then reporting them.
During these days, even though Li Xingyun was nestled in the Luzhou warehouse, he heard the curse of this "poisonous man".
Jingxiang had a hearty smile on his face, looked at the few followers behind Li Xingyun, and couldn't help asking with a smile: "Why doesn't King Xin set up a guard of honor when he travels? Nowadays, people are rushing north, so there will be some congestion."
As the only prince of the Tang Dynasty and the younger brother of the emperor, Li Xingyun was qualified to open a government office, that is, to set up a government office on his own and recruit staff to work for him.
But Li Xingyun was not interested in this. He had never lived in the royal palace in Luoyang for a few days, let alone engage in these styles.
Only when he took up the post of Deputy Transport Envoy, he recruited several staff members as assistants. After leaving office, he arranged their places for these people and no longer needed them.
I have to say, it's a bit too casual...
Li Xingyun smiled faintly and raised his chin slightly: "Didn't Mr. Jing only bring a few guards?"
The two of them looked at each other and smiled, then stood on one side of the road, looking at the dusty people, and headed north with an inexplicable light of hope on their faces.
————
Li Xingyun and Jingxiang kept each other company, and when they arrived outside Taiyuan City, it was already after dusk.
What comes into view is the endless stream of refugee tents under Taiyuan City. Looking past, I don’t know how many of them there are.
Even when passing by, you can see that the original Tang Army camp had its fences, towers and other military objects removed and used as a camp for migrant workers.
But what shocked Li Xingyun the most was the oncoming construction site in full swing.
City walls were built, roads were repaired, trees were replanted, rivers were diverted...
Looking at the past, they were all densely packed with human figures.
There is something called "cement", which can be mixed with sand and gravel to form a road together with stone bricks and other materials.
A "grey" avenue began to spread outward.
Under the afterglow of the setting sun, the sweat of countless workers sprinkled on the land, setting off waves of joyful cries.
Li Xingyun couldn't help but be fascinated.
Jingxiang squinted his eyes and shook his feather fan, also lost in thought.
It wasn't until it got dark later that the workers slowly dispersed and returned to the camp after receiving their food. Then the two of them entered the city together with endless aftertaste.
After parting ways with Jingxiang, Li Xingyun sat on his horse and smacked his lips.
He didn't know what Li Jing wanted to do.
But he could vaguely guess what his imperial brother wanted to accomplish.
Perhaps, it’s that elusive universal unity?
He was led to the door of a mansion that belonged to him.
This mansion is neither big nor small, and Li Xingyun thinks it is just right. The outside is also clean and has a sense of life.
But I can still guess that it should be the residence of an old Jin official whose house was confiscated and exterminated.
After dismissing his entourage, he held the key and planned to open the copper lock.
Unexpectedly, just as his fingers touched the door, the door opened slightly.
Li Xingyun was stunned for a while, watching his junior sister roll up her sleeves and humming a tune to clean the courtyard.
He was surprised, and his calm temperament these days suddenly couldn't hold it back anymore, and he exhaled: "Lin Xuan?"
Lu Linxuan turned his head. He was happy at first, then his face fell. He held his hands in front of his chest and snorted coldly: "Tell me! Who found those beautiful maids in our family for you?"
Li Xingyun was almost going crazy with joy, but now he stopped and suddenly had a headache.
He was wondering just now why there were no servants in his mansion...
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but curse secretly.
I have told the Ministry of Rites several times that I don’t want maids! No maid!
The Ministry of Rites harms people!
"I just entered the city, how do I know who is looking for him... Besides, I haven't even seen him yet!"
With a smile on his face, he ran over quickly, took the feather marbles from Lu Linxuan's hand, and then couldn't hide his surprise and asked: "When did you come? Why didn't I get the news?"
Lu Linxuan rolled his eyes at him, his face could no longer look down, and he raised his chin arrogantly: "I came with Empress Shu and Concubine De, how could you possibly know!"
Concubine Shu is Chi Meng, Concubine De is Bago... Li Xingyun secretly thought that's how it is. He happily hugged Lu Linxuan's shoulders and said happily: "Very good, very good!"
"Just now someone from the palace was sent, saying that after the Holy One summoned you to Taiyuan, he went into the palace to discuss important matters."
Lu Linxuan opened his lips and teeth lightly and reminded him.
The latter was stunned for a moment, then let go of his hand and guessed: "It seems that we are going to use troops against Mobei..."
Lu Linxuan was surprised: "Isn't this just the end of the fight?"
"Mobei is determined to retreat to the grassland, but he is probably reluctant to leave the land of Youyan. He is still hesitating now. If we don't take advantage of this opportunity, we may have to wait for many years before launching troops again in the future."
After all, after working in the military for nearly a year, Li Xingyun now has his own opinions.
Lu Linxuan looked melancholy, then straightened his face, and reached out to grab Li Xingyun's ear.
"That's your men's business, I have nothing to do with it - come on, let's talk about what happened to those maids!"
"Hey, you, you, please be gentle..."
