Xu Kuangheng's heartbeat suddenly accelerated. He was excited and surprised. He cupped his hands and responded: "Commander, if this is really possible, why worry about no one in Wuping? Commander is wise! I'm just worried that the court will accuse the commander of this. Private tributes are not allowed. What a transgression! Also, the matter of paying tribute is not easy. Although the examination room and the rules can be set up by the imperial court, we still need to find a suitable scholar to serve as the examiner and deputy minister, and..."
This matter seemed to have touched Xu Kuangheng's mind. This person who had passed the imperial examination in the past began to analyze it eloquently, which gave Li Yuan a headache. Li Yuan hurriedly waved his hand to stop it and said: "These things are easy for me to do." The full power has been given to Sir! No matter how much manpower and material resources are spent, just go ahead and do it! As for the court, don’t pay attention to it for now. Sir will know it soon, but it is not appropriate for me to say more..."
(Note: "Book of the Southern Tang Dynasty" states that in 952, the tenth year of Baoda, "Jiang Wenwei, a Hanlin scholar, was informed of the tribute examination of the Ministry of Rites, and three Jinshi Wang Kezhen and others were placed in the place, and the tribute examination was reinstated." Jiang Wenwei, who presided over the examination, was Li Jing was upright and did not avoid powerful people. He often impeached Feng Yanji, Chen Jue and others, which ultimately offended those in power. Li Jing ordered the suspension of tribute in September and did not resume it until two years later. However, soon after Zhou invaded the south, tribute almost came to a standstill.)
Li Yuan clearly remembered the classic conversation between Li Jing and Jiang Wenwei in the history books. Li Jing asked, "How does Aiqing preside over the tribute examination compare with the Northern Kingdom?" This upright examiner replied in front of all the ministers, "The Northern Kingdom opens the subject." Scholars are bound to show favoritism, but ministers are always impartial and do what they say."...
The consequences can be imagined, but the most innocent people to be implicated are the scholars who have studied hard for many years. They have worked hard to prepare for the exam, but were suddenly notified that the exam was cancelled. This means that the only way for students from poor families to reach the upper class is suddenly blocked. , there is nothing more hopeless than this in life.
According to records, after Li Jing stopped paying tribute in the 10th year of Baoda, many scholars fled to Zhou or neighboring countries. This also indirectly led to the political situation of the Southern Tang Dynasty, which was already turbulent and full of cliques, and became even worse. The tragic national fate has hidden its seeds.
Li Yuanyuan knew the consequences of conducting tribute privately. It was indeed a serious crime of violating the etiquette system, which could range from being demoted to an official or being imprisoned in the more severe ones. But in the next few months, there will be a large number of scholars from the Southern Tang Dynasty fleeing. It is rare that talented people are running around. If you don't catch them now, it will be too late. If you want to achieve great things, the more talents the better.
"One Sword Dominates"
Although he saw Li Yuan's determined look, Xu Kuangheng couldn't help but worry: "Commander, although I don't dare to ask more questions, if the court really blames me, I'm afraid the blame will be heavy... I'm not disobeying the commander, I'm just I am really worried!"
Li Yuan straightened his waist and said seriously: "Sir, of course I know your concerns, but I still need more talented people under my command. The more the better! You must select talents for me, and all candidates will be If you give me a reward, just go ahead and do it!"
Then he showed a cold expression and sneered: "As for the court, if you really want to accuse me, you have to ask me, General Wu Ping, if I agree..."
Is the Marshal finally speaking his mind? It was the first time that Li Yuan had such courage when he mentioned the imperial court. Xu Kuangheng felt as if his long-cherished wish had come true. His eyes were red with excitement. He almost couldn't hold back and said some words to add fuel to the flames. He stood up, raised his hands and replied loudly: "Commander, I am determined to fulfill my mission!"
Then Xu Kuangheng seemed to remember something and added: "Commander, the tribute examination has not started yet, why not keep those old officials from Langzhou?"
Li Yuan thought for a moment, blinked noncommittally and said: "Now a small punishment is enough, but after that, we will deal with it how we want to deal with it, no one can be spared!"
"I understand!"
Not long after, Li Yuan summoned his personal guards to change his armor. While stretching his arms, he smiled meaningfully and said: "Sir, judging by the time, Jiang Sheng and the others should be arriving soon. Please pass on my commander's military order that the army does not need to enter the city and will detour to the east gate. Assemble outside! His Royal Highness Prince Zheng has worked thousands of miles, so I must entertain him well..."
Xu Kuangheng understood the idea, raised his hands and nodded: "Yes! Commander, as soon as the supplies and grain are below, we have urgently ordered people to mobilize them. As soon as King Zheng arrives, our army can go directly to Yiyang!"
Li Yuan was stunned, then smiled and said: "There is no one who knows how to be handsome than Mr.!"
...
At Youshi, thirty miles east of Langzhou City, a mighty team was marching westward.
The sun in the sky has faded, but in the middle of autumn, it is still quite bright, illuminating the road clearly. Although the official roads in Chu are much more difficult to walk than those in the more rugged areas south of the Yangtze River, for the group of people who had just arrived from the building boat, the official roads in front of them were no less than the imperial streets of Jinling, the capital. It's always more comfortable than the water.
It's not that these soldiers can't endure hardships. In the past two months, the river has surged, making it difficult for ships to move. However, these soldiers who have been stationed at the border for a long time are not good at waterways, but they got an urgent order from the superiors and had to hold on. Scalp, day and night, along the river. Just like the good steel was taken away and made into a chamber pot, regardless of whether the soldiers could endure it, when they were counted when they got off the ship, hundreds of horses alone had fallen...
Zhou Xingfeng, who was wearing a black shirt, was riding a tall horse and was running in the middle of the team. Next to him was a carriage with a canopy and gold. There were dozens of imperial guards of various heights, short, fat, and thin all around, all of them riding on strong horses with expressionless expressions.
Looking around, almost no one spoke in the long queue, which was rolling towards Langzhou like a gust of wind. Everyone hoped to arrive as soon as possible and end this extremely painful journey.
Half an hour later, the tall east gate tower of Langzhou City finally appeared on the horizon. This made all the soldiers who were desperate for life instantly regain their vitality and cheer up. As the horses' hooves gradually slowed down and stepped lightly on the flat sand, Zhou Xingfeng waved gently, and the soldiers lined up again and ran towards the city gate in an orderly manner.
Five miles away from the city gate, Zhou Xingfeng suddenly reined in his horse and stood slowly. The two soldiers holding the reins on the carriage beside him quickly stopped, looking exhausted at the same time.
"Your Highness, the city of Langzhou is ahead! But there seems to be a large army of troops arrayed in front of the city gate. Maybe Li Yuan has returned to the city, but I don't know what the purpose is?"
After waiting for a moment, a frivolous voice came from the carriage: "Oh? It's a pity that Li Yuan came back in time... No matter how many soldiers and horses there are, they are not afraid of him. I am your Majesty." My dear, what can he do to me? He probably just wanted to show off his military power to me by setting up a battle array! Huh, it is exactly what I thought, this person may have had evil intentions for a long time!
It's just that my father was very kind to him. In the past, he was lucky enough to win a few battles with the help of our strong army of the Tang Dynasty. He was suddenly awarded the title of Military Envoy of the Wuping Army. At the age of only 21, he suddenly became a feudal lord. Official, this official position is too easy to come by!
Since Li Yuan wants to use tricks, I really want to see how powerful he is! The governor of Zhou Dynasty passed on my king's order, and the whole army stopped at the same place for the time being, and quickly sent scouts to convey the order. He only said that the king had a decree to announce, and asked Li Yuan to come and pay homage to the king first! "
