The army set off for the south. As there were auxiliary soldiers leading the way, even if many roads were blocked and bridges were destroyed, the journey was smooth and they did not waste any time.
When they entered the Shaozhou border, the medicine that Sun Simiao arranged for people to send over had already arrived. Every soldier in the army was equipped with the medicine. After applying it on their bodies, it could repel insects and ensure that they would not be bitten.
As a result, the soldiers felt much more comfortable.
The army entered the Shaozhou border and smoothly arrived at Zhenchang County, northeast of Shaozhou.
Zhenchang County was vast, but there were many mountains, rivers, and forests within it. From Jiangnan to Zhenchang County, there was only one official road. This official road had not even been paved with cement. In the past, when the Tang dynasty ruled the world, the various provinces built cement roads on the main roads to make it easier to travel.
As Shaozhou was really remote, when the weather was hot, it was even more unbearable. Hence, the Tang dynasty did not have much control over Shaozhou and did not build roads. It was precisely because of this that it played a certain role in obstructing the troops of the Xia Kingdom who were rushing on their way. It was not easy for the soldiers to travel.
Even so, Du Qi's army was getting closer and closer to Zhenchang County.
Zhenchang County, within the county city.
In the back courtyard study of the county office.
A middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a green robe, sat on the main seat. The middle-aged man was called Liu Chuan, and he was the county magistrate of Zhenchang County. He was also from a big family in Zhenchang County. Even the Liu family had some influence in Shaozhou. Even if they were not the biggest family, they were still one of the top families.
The Liu family of Zhenchang County had been in Shaozhou for close to a hundred years, and the county magistrate had always been from the Liu family.
Hence, the Liu family was the local tyrant in Zhenchang County.
Liu Chuan was on the skinny side. Although he was a scholar, his skin was slightly tanned. His eyes were bright and dazzling. Liu Chuan's gaze landed on the middle-aged scholar sitting below and asked, "Mr. Pu, the current Xia Xia emperor, Du Qi, has led his army into Zhenchang County. What should we do now? "
The middle-aged scholar was called Pu Changzhi.
It was Liu Jin's aide.
Stroking his beard, Pu Changzhi smiled and said, "County Magistrate, when Li Shimin went south to Zhenchang County, we directly submitted to him. Therefore, Li Shimin did not touch Zhenchang County in the slightest, and the County Magistrate can continue to oversee Zhenchang County without being affected at all."
"Now that Du Qi is leading his troops to the south, I suggest you submit to Du Qi and serve Du Qi."
"After all, according to my estimation, Li Shimin's meager military strength is not Du Qi's match. We clearly know that Li Shimin can't withstand Xia Xia's attack, so why should we throw our lives away? When I submitted to Li Shimin back then, I was just going with the flow, taking care of myself. "
Pu Changzhi said, "Now that Du Qi is here, we'll directly pledge allegiance to him. In short, he had to prioritize his own safety. We will stand on the side of whoever wins. In short, we won't offend either side. "
A smile rose on the corner of Liu Tong's lips as he praised, "Mr. Pu, you know me well. This is what I'm thinking. Why should we cause trouble after Du Qi leaves? Once Du Qi finds out, we'll have to bear the consequences. Rather than that, it's better to submit to Du Qi early. Why don't we submit first and talk later? As for the follow-up, we'll wait until they decide the winner and loser before we consider it again. "
Pu Changzhi said, "County Magistrate is wise!"
Liu Tong said in a deep voice, "Since we've decided to submit, how do you think we should do it, Mr. Pu? What's the best arrangement? In short, since we've decided to submit, we'll do it well. "
Pu Changzhi was also thinking quickly in his heart.
After he considered for a while, he said, "County Magistrate, in my opinion, to express your sincerity, you should personally lead the civil and military officials of Chang County out of the city and personally welcome Xia Xia's army. You personally going to welcome Emperor Xia is the greatest sincerity. "
Liu Tong carefully pondered in his heart.
Personally welcoming?
Liu Tong thought for a while and said, "But if I personally go to welcome him, once the news spreads and Li Shimin learns about it, he will definitely remember what I did. At that time, if Li Shimin wins, I'm afraid he'll punish me. "
Pu Changzhi shook his head and said, "County Magistrate, you're wrong."
Liu Tong said, "What do you mean?"
Pu Changzhi said, "First, it was Li Shimin who arranged for us to submit to Du Qi. Li Shimin arranged people to issue orders to the county officials, telling us that when Du Qi's main force is going south, we should take advantage of the opportunity to pledge allegiance to Du Qi. And then, after Du Qi is going south, we can make trouble for Du Qi's rear. What's wrong with us submitting now? "
"On the contrary, we're doing this to gain Du Qi's trust and not let Du Qi suspect us. Even if Li Shimin wants to make trouble for you, you can use this as an excuse and there won't be any problems. "
"Second, I've carefully thought about the situation of this battle. Du Qi's side has at least 100,000 soldiers. Moreover, you know about Xia's weapons. They're incomparably powerful and unrivaled. On the other hand, Li Shimin himself came south as a refugee from Jiangdu. Li Shimin is in Shaozhou to take refuge. "
"Therefore, it won't be easy for Li Shimin to resist Du Qi. It's even very likely that Li Shimin will be defeated. Therefore, I don't think there's anything wrong with going out of the city to welcome them. "
"County Magistrate, this is my suggestion."
"Please reconsider."
Pu Changzhi was only Liu Tong's aide. He was only responsible for making suggestions. As for how to plan and how to make arrangements, that was Pu Changzhi's problem.
At this time, Liu Tong was also carefully considering.
Because Pu Changzhi's analysis was very good.
Liu Tong could be the head of a clan and the head of a county. He wasn't an indecisive person. After thinking for a while, he said, "Very well, we'll arrange according to your suggestion. When Xia Xia's army approaches Chang County, I'll personally lead people out of the city to welcome Du Qi."
Pu Changzhi said, "County Magistrate is wise!"
Liu Tong continued, "There's another matter at hand, and that is, although we've pledged allegiance to Du Qi. Especially since you've already determined that Du Qi is very likely to destroy the Li Tang. Therefore, in the current situation, we might as well not consider being a fence-sitter for the time being. Instead, we should consider completely submitting to Du Qi. Under such circumstances, how can we really stand firm under Du Qi's command and get Du Qi's high regard? What do you think of this matter, Mr. Pu? "
Pu Changzhi said, "County Magistrate, this is a bit complicated."
Liu Tong said, "I know it's complicated and more difficult to operate, but in any case, it must be arranged. Since I'm going to do it, I must do it to the best of my ability. Otherwise, it's better not to do it. "
Pu Changzhi quickly racked his brain to think.
Because at present, it was not easy for Liu Tong, the head of a county, to get Du Qi's high regard. Perhaps in this Zhen Chang County, Liu Tong was the local tyrant. Even in Shaozhou, Liu Tong could be regarded as a number one figure and had a certain amount of influence.
However, in Lingnan Road, looking at the wider area, Liu Tong was not ranked, nor was the Liu family.
It was not easy to please Du Qi.
Time passed little by little. Pu Changzhi had been thinking, and Liu Tong had not said a word from beginning to end. He did not disturb Liu Tong. After a long while, Pu Changzhi suddenly said, "Got it, I have a plan."
A bright smile appeared on Liu Tong's angular face. He said, "What plan?"
Pu Changzhi said, "A few days ago, a businessman from overseas offered some divine objects to County Magistrate. He said that eating this divine object could have the effect of prolonging one's life. In that case, why not offer this divine object to Du Qi? After all, such a divine object has a sweet taste and is quite good. As long as the Emperor is happy, it's a great honor for County Magistrate. Especially the Emperor, who doesn't like prolonging one's life? Even if Du Qi is still young, he'll definitely like it. "
Liu Tong's eyes lit up.
That's the truth!
Back then, a foreign businessman from the sea offered a divine object in order to buy a large number of tea leaves, silk, and cloth in Zhen Chang County. It was about fifty kilograms. He said that it could have the effect of prolonging one's life, and even improve one's bones after eating it.
Liu Tong also ate it at that time. It was sweet and juicy. It was indeed good. Although Liu Tong did not believe in the theory of prolonging one's life, it won because it was delicious. Moreover, the businessman wanted to buy a large number of tea leaves, silk, and cloth in Zhen Chang County. For Zhen Chang County, there were only benefits and no harm. Liu Tong accepted it at that time.
Liu Tong nodded and said, "Mr. Pu, please arrange it. When Du Qi's army arrives at the county, we will personally go out of the city to welcome them. After Du Qi enters the city, we will offer the divine object. Regardless of whether it is a divine object or not, it will not be wrong to offer it. After all, we are all knowledgeable people and have never seen such food. It's not an exaggeration to call it a divine object. Moreover, it is indeed very useful. After eating it, it's very good. The taste is very good. "
Pu Changzhi said, "County Magistrate is wise!"
Liu Tong did not say anything more. He waved his hand and let Pu Changzhi make the arrangements. After all, welcoming Du Qi was not a small matter. It needed to be carefully arranged to ensure that no mistakes were made.
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