Li Longji's reprimanding edict was soon sent to Ke Tuyu.
Looking at the words on the edict, Ke Tuyu could hardly believe his eyes. When did the emperor of the Tang Empire become so tough?
In the Commander-In-Chief's Mansion of Songmo, no one dared to oppose his words. Even the emperor of the Tang Empire, Li Longji, had to accept the person he chose, give him an official position, and even betroth the princess.
"What happened this time?" "Why didn't he appease me and teach the two kids in Jili State a lesson? Why did he put all the blame on me?"
"Isn't he afraid that I will rebel?" "Doesn't he want to fengchan?" "At this critical moment, he didn't protect me but changed his previous conciliatory attitude."
Ke Tuyu couldn't figure it out, so he didn't dare to rebel. He knew that the more incomprehensible something was, the more complicated it was. Li Longji was not a fool. How could he not be afraid of offending me? "He must have someone to rely on. Yes, that must be it. Who is he relying on?"
"Come on, tell me the details of the Zhang Family and the Wang Family." Ke Tuyu intuitively believed that Li Longji could only rely on the Zhang Family and the Wang Family. Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan, who went to Jili State, couldn't be so simple, and they were not sent away as others said.
Soon, someone came and told Ke Tuyu the information collected after Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan showed their outstanding abilities in Jili State, and added the information collected recently.
In the past, Ke Tuyu didn't pay much attention to it because he didn't have much contact with the Zhang Family and the Wang Family. Now, after carefully listening to the information, he finally understood why Li Longji didn't favor him but protected Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan.
If one had to describe the Zhang Family and the Wang Family with one word, it would be "strong" and "very strong".
First of all, the two clans had immense wealth, and second of all, they had experts backing them. Ever since they first appeared, they had never lost in any aspect. This was definitely not as simple as it seemed. Even the status of the top scorer was not enough. It could only be said that they had the ability to contend with the various powers of the Great Tang and not be at a disadvantage.
In addition to Wang Juan's achievements in Tubo, it seemed that Li Longji had placed the two of them in the northern part of Hebei Province like a sharp knife, hoping that the two of them would be able to hold down this area.
The conscription of thirty thousand soldiers had already been exchanged for ten thousand soldiers transferred from other places. With one hundred and thirty thousand people in Ji Li Province, the population of the surrounding areas had decreased by a lot.
However, according to the information, Li Longji guessed Li Longji's purpose after a little analysis. Li Longji put two people whom he didn't know before, who looked like children, in Jili Province. Through these two people and the power of their families, he firmly blocked the entire northern part of Hebei Province.
Li Longji had a very powerful ship and the experience of commanding the army in Tubo. He could use both land and sea routes. Even if he couldn't directly stop Li Longji when he took action, he could still block Li Longji's way after Li Longji rushed over a certain distance.
"Li Longji, do you really believe that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan can hold me down? I'd like to see if the two children in your heart have such great ability. "
Unconvinced, Li Longji suppressed his thoughts of rebellion and prepared to focus on dealing with Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. He would find a chance to test them again. His men couldn't die in vain, otherwise, how could he let others do things in the future?
With this idea, Li Longji encouraged himself and began to make the next plan. Since Li Longji regarded Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan as treasures, he had to be careful.
*****
Just as Li Longji was preparing his plan, Zhang Xiaobao and the propaganda war began.
In a very short time, a rumor began to circulate in the Song Mo Commander-In-Chief's Manor. Whether it was the workers or the soldiers in the manor, they all heard this news from the people they interacted with.
"Did you hear? Li Longji wants to lead us in a rebellion. We're about to prepare for war. Hurry and pack everything in your homes so that you won't have time to prepare for war. "
This was a kind of rumor. Whether it was those who believed it or those who didn't, they couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Everyone knew that the Great Tang was gradually growing stronger. If they weren't careful, they could easily be wiped out by the Great Tang's army. If not for the fact that the Great Tang still had to manage the Turks and Tubo, they would have sent an army several years ago when Li Longji started his rebellion.
The entire Song Mo Commander-In-Chief's Manor was in a state of panic, fear, and a little expectation.
Rumors stopped with the wise, but not everyone had that kind of wisdom. Those who were worried about the coming war began to buy a lot of things that could be used, such as leather armor, weapons, and food.
"It's over. It's said that the Jili Province is preparing to recruit fifty thousand soldiers from the local people. All men between thirteen and sixty years old have to apply. It's said that there are also ships that can make a mountain disappear in an instant. If they're going to attack, Li Longji will send people to cause trouble.
Also, the Great Tang Emperor has agreed. He even wants to send reinforcements. The light cavalry that killed countless people in Tubo is going to be given to them. "
Another rumor was even more frightening than the first one. The first one was nothing more than sending troops to war. When they attacked others, they had the initiative. This rumor was that others were going to attack them. In that case, there was no initiative at all. What would they do if they were attacked from behind when they were at the frontlines?
This time, they were even more flustered. Not only did they have to buy and exchange what they could get, they also had to think of a way to make arrangements for their families when they left for war.
The third rumor also appeared at this time.
"It's said that the Great Tang Emperor wants to move us to the vicinity of the capital of Great Tang so that we can live a better life. Those who are willing to stay can go to the Jili Province to learn how to make kang. It will be warmer in winter and we can use more pottery.
However, Li Longji is afraid that he will lose his power and refuse the Great Tang Emperor's kindness. In order to prevent us from leaving, he started a war to force the Great Tang Emperor to change his mind. "
The third rumor was more unbearable than the first two. The first two were going to war no matter what, and the people under their command would be prepared for war. However, the third rumor was that his ruling position would be shaken, which was absolutely unacceptable.
Just when Ke Yu suddenly heard of the rumor and wanted to suppress it, a piece of news came. A caravan set off from Jili Province with a lot of pottery on it. They were going to send it to the Manor and give it to everyone who needed it free of charge.
However, this caravan was attacked by the people sent by Li Longji Province. Otherwise, not only would the people in the Jili Province kill all the people who were sent out, but they also sent the goods back.
This news was said very firmly. Why did Ke Tuyu send people to stop them? It was because he didn't want good things to be used by just anyone. Only the leader could use them. Otherwise, why would Ke Tuyu and the others all have complete sets of pottery?
"They are all talking nonsense. There is no such thing. They are too despicable and insidious." Li Longji cursed loudly after smashing a lot of pottery.
It was not that he didn't understand this strategy. Since ancient times, many people had used it, usually on the enemy's generals. However, when he encountered it again today, he found that it was still so difficult to resist.
The people of Khitan were not as smart as the generals. Some strategies did not work on smart generals. Li Longji could clearly feel the instability of the people's hearts.
The way to deal with propaganda was naturally to use the same propaganda.
Li Longji held back the anger in his heart and began to ask people to explain to the Khitan people under his rule to calm down the hidden turmoil.
The anti-propaganda war was effective. After all, Li Longji was the real leader of the Khitan people. First, he said that there would be no war. Then, he said that the Jili Province did not send troops. Li Longji had already discussed it with Governor Zhang and Adjunct Wang. As for why the pottery was sent back, it could not be said that they did not send them back. Instead, it was said that the road was not easy to travel, so they prepared to take measures to transport them back.
No matter what kind of propaganda war it was, it fell on the Khitan people in the end, making them unable to distinguish the truth from the lies. They could only hold back the anxiety in their hearts and wait.
Li Longji was slightly relieved. He threw away the plan to deal with Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. He originally wanted to launch a sneak attack on the pottery transported from Changning to Jili Province to let Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan know that he was not to be trifled with.
Now, he could not launch a sneak attack. If he launched a sneak attack again, wouldn't it be a real war? What he said in the past was a lie.
Not only could he not launch a sneak attack, but he also had to reconcile with Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. The pottery had to be transported to Khitan. If Li Yu and Zhang Xiaobao in Changning were not close to each other, he could personally send people to Changning to buy the pottery.
Li Longji was very depressed. He wrote a letter to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. First, he said that everything in the past was a misunderstanding. The people he sent did not explain clearly. They did not want the pottery but wanted to buy it. When they came back, they lied. He was also deceived and must deal with it properly.
Then, he said that he hoped that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan could sell some of his pottery to him at a low price. He also sent people to transport the pottery to Songmo Commander-In-Chief's Office, saying that it was a gift from Jili Province. He also hoped that Zhang Xiaobao could buy some Khitan goods at a low price and say that it was a gift from Khitan. Then, both sides would be even.
The news quickly reached Li Longji's ears. At this time, Li Longji had already set off in the direction of Luoyang. He planned to stop there and then go to Mount Tai. On the way, he heard that Li Longji had suddenly written a letter to Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan. He laughed in the cabin for a while before coming out to enjoy the scenery.
Gao Lishi respectfully accompanied him on the side. He was also in a very good mood. His adopted son was indeed capable. This was called subduing the enemy without fighting.
"Good plan. It's so insidious. Oh, it's a wonderful plan. Only Xiao Bao can use it casually. Did the two of them set off from Jili Province?"
Li Longji was overjoyed. It seemed that sending Xiao Bao and Juan over was the right decision. Only the two of them could suppress the dishonest people, because the two of them were unscrupulous when it came to fighting.
Gao Lishi knew that the Emperor was very happy. He replied, "Your Majesty, they have already come out. Before coming out, they led the troops to the northwest of Jili Province to do a drill. Look, Xiao Bao has already explained it in his letter to me."
As he spoke, Gao Lishi took out the letter. For him, many of the letters that Zhang Xiaobao wrote to him were official letters because many of the things that were involved in the letters were very important.
Li Longji opened the letter and read it. It was written very smoothly without any wording. It was indeed a letter from home. The main point was that the two of them had already set off from Jili Province without the 10,000 soldiers. The 10,000 soldiers were still working hard on the drill. The gunboats were also not here. They were waiting to engage in battle at any time along the coast.
It also said that the deal with Ke Tuyu was agreed. After the ceremony, they would transport pottery. It also wrote back to Ke Tuyu and asked him to arrange for people to take care of Jili Province at any time. Now that there was a provincial governor and a registrar in the army, it could be said that there was no leader there.
The rest of the letter was all about greeting Gao Lishi, asking him what he liked to eat and whether he wanted to eat some venison. A batch of venison had been braised. If he really wanted to eat it, he should prepare more ingredients on the way. After all, there were many people eating it. Some people were addicted to it and used their status to pressure others. They only knew how to eat it for free.
"Haha, Lishi, your Xiao Bao is guilty. How dare he say that I am a freeloader." Li Longji stared at Gao Lishi and said.
"Your Majesty, Xiao Bao is not talking about you. He is talking about someone else. Bi Gou, Yao Chong, and Xiao Bao must be talking about them." Gao Lishi was not anxious for his son at all. He knew that the Emperor would not be angry.
As expected, Li Longji did not continue to talk about this matter. Instead, he praised, "Good plan. This letter is good. Tell Ke Tuyu that when Jili Province is empty, he is still training the soldiers. When Ke Tuyu is under great pressure, he is not afraid that the people of Jili Province will guard against his attack, but he is afraid that the ten thousand soldiers will attack him.
Xiao Bao said that he is empty, but in fact, he is telling Ke Tuyu that he should be careful of the Khitans. They can go there at any time. He and Cuckoo may have left deliberately to numb others. "
"Xiao Bao may not have thought so much. It was just a blind cat running into a dead mouse." Gao Lishi said modestly for his godson.
Then he said, "However, after returning, Xiao Bao still has to spend money to buy things from the Khitans. If the two of them don't participate in the ceremony, they don't have to spend money. Ke Tuyu can only pay for it himself."
"This is what makes people feel at ease about Xiao Bao and Cuckoo. They know when to give up and when to retreat. They are not ready to fight with Ke Tuyu, so they need to be stable first. Besides, they may not be able to lose money.
Yes, if it were other people, they may not be able to earn much money. Xiao Bao and Cuckoo are both smart people. I always feel that this matter is not so simple. This can be considered as Xiao Bao and Cuckoo using a scheme against Ke Tuyu, right? "
Li Longji did not believe that Zhang Xiaobao and Wang Juan would let Ke Tuyu go so easily.
"It should be a scheme," Gao Lishi replied.
"Since it is a scheme, how can it only have these two rings? When the two of them were scheming against me, they did not show any mercy. No wonder they want to go to Jili Province. There is no one to fight with them for the coast there. It is impossible to change to another place. Dengzhou has the navy of Dengzhou occupying a good place.
Look at them, they have the docks and docks. How could I be fooled? Wait for the two of them to arrive and ask me properly. This time, I want them to be closely linked, at least five rings. Otherwise, I will punish them. No matter what, they have to be more careful when dealing with outsiders than when dealing with me. "
Li Longji did not forget that he was tricked and made a request to Gao Lishi.
Gao Lishi wanted to laugh, but he held back and said, "I will definitely make Xiao Bao reveal the plan. Your Majesty, rest assured. When dealing with outsiders, Xiao Bao's schemes have always been sharp and ruthless. For example, the current Tubo is no longer able to compete with the Tang Empire. It will be the same next year. Their locusts have not been completely exterminated."
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