March 28th, the weather was clear.
On this day, Xia Xia's army had already gotten close to Zhen Chang County.
They were less than ten miles away from the county.
Du Qi's journey was smooth. After all, he had arranged for the support troops to clear the path and also had medicine to chase away the bugs. Apart from feeling that the sun was a little hot, there were no other effects.
Du Qi rode on his horse, his heart feeling more and more relaxed.
The closer he got to Zhen Chang County, the closer he was to destroying Li Shimin. When Du Qi was less than three miles away from Zhen Chang County, a soldier came to report that the county magistrate had personally brought the civil and military officials of Zhen Chang County to welcome them.
When Du Qi heard this, he felt even more relaxed.
Today, Du Qi attacking Li Shimin was already the trend. Li Shimin had no way to stop him, and he could only lose. As Li Shimin's strength did not give people any hope, the local officials would not work for Du Qi.
Du Qi led the troops to continue on their way.
As time passed, the army got closer and closer to the county.
When they got close, Liu Qiang had been waiting for a long time. When he saw Du Qi's army arrive, he hurriedly went up and bowed, "Zhen Chang County magistrate Liu Qiang greets the emperor."
The rest of the people also bowed.
They were all greeting Du Qi.
Du Qi sized up Liu Qiang. When he went down south, the bad people had already received news of Liu Qiang. When Liu Chuan was in charge of Zhanchang County, he didn't have many achievements. However, when Liu Chuan was the county magistrate, the people of Zhanchang County had a good life. They weren't affected by the flames of war, but they weren't in a precarious situation either.
Du Qi nodded, "Liu Qiang, you are willing to submit to Xia Xia and not help him. Not bad."
Liu Qiang said, "Your Majesty is too kind."
After a pause, Liu Chong continued, "Your Majesty, this lowly official has already prepared a welcoming banquet in the city to welcome Your Majesty. I earnestly request that Your Majesty enter the city to rest and reorganize. After all, the journey from Jiangnan to the south is very tiring. "
"There is no need to enter the city," Du Qi said, "Zhen's army will set up camp outside the city. We will rest and reorganize for a while, and then we will resupply, and then we will lead the army to depart south, to continue toward Qujiang County."
Du Qi knew that Li Shimin was in Qujiang County. To Du Qi, with Li Shimin's meager military force, it was impossible for him to occupy Jade Mountain in Qujiang County.
When Liu Yao heard this, he originally wanted to persuade Du Qi to enter the city. However, when he thought about how Du Qi was unwilling to enter the city, he gave up on the idea. Liu Yao thought for a moment and said, "Since Your Majesty doesn't want to enter the city, then don't enter the city for the time being. When the time comes, this lowly official will prepare the wine, meals, and rations for the army and send them to the barracks. "
Du Qi nodded. "Sure!"
Liu Ning felt more at ease.
As long as Du Qi stayed in Zhen Chang County, he would be able to see Du Qi again.
Liu Yao and Du Qi's group headed toward Zhen Chang County. When they arrived, Du Qi's army set up camp outside the city, while Liu Yao returned to the city. He personally led people to deliver the wine and meat to the barracks so that Du Qi and the others could eat.
Du Qi received the wine and meat, but he did not eat them immediately. Instead, he first confirmed whether or not the food was poisonous.
Liu Yao saw all of this with his own eyes.
However, he did not say a word.
It was normal for Du Qi to be cautious. If Du Qi was really naive and innocent, then it would be worrying. After confirming that the food was not poisonous, Du Qi first ordered Xue Rengui to adjust the meals for the soldiers. Today, they would be given two meat dishes and one vegetable dish, so that the soldiers could rest well and eat meat properly.
Du Qi raised his wine cup and looked at Liu Yao, who was sitting at the end of the table. He said in a deep voice, "Liu Yao, We are very satisfied that you have submitted to Xia Xia. This Emperor has some understanding of you, Liu Tong. You are capable, and We hope that you can do well in Zhen Chang County. What We can tell you is that as long as you do well, there will be a place for you in Shao Province. "
Liu Yao said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
At this moment, Liu Yao's heart became excited. If he could become the Provincial Governor of Shao Province in the future, or take on some other official position, then he would be able to completely break away from Zhen Chang County.
Liu Yao changed the topic. "Your Majesty, this lowly official has a treasure, no, a divine item that I would like to offer to Your Majesty. This divine item was obtained from a foreign merchant. It is said that eating it can prolong one's life. This divine item weighs nearly fifty kilograms. This lowly official has already ordered for the divine item to be brought outside the camp. Your Majesty, please accept it. "
Du Qi said, "Bring it in."
"Yes!"
Upon receiving the order, Liu Yao immediately gave the order.
Not long after, a yamen runner came in with a box. The chest was placed in the tent, and Liu Yao was the first to open it. Then, he said, "Your Majesty, the divine item is all here. Please take a look."
Du Qi stood up and looked into the chest. When he saw the item in the chest, he raised his brows and chuckled.
It was a mango.
How could it be a divine item?
Du Qi said in a deep voice, "Liu Yao, I'm afraid you have been deceived."
Liu Yao said, "Your Majesty, please enlighten me."
Du Qi said, "This item is not a divine item, nor can it prolong one's life. This fruit is called a mango. In fact, it can be found in the south of Lingnan Province, but it is rarely discovered. And this fruit is even more widespread in the south of Sovereign Capital in my Xia Xia. There are countless of them. This is not a divine item, but a fruit. "
Liu Yao immediately turned embarrassed when he heard that.
Mango!
This item was called a mango!
He had always been in Zhen Chang County, but he believed that he was knowledgeable. He never expected to be deceived by a merchant. As a result, he felt rather embarrassed after being exposed by Du Qi.
Du Qi said, "We'll be taking the fifty-kilogram mango."
Liu Yao said, "This lowly official was ignorant and was deceived. Your Majesty, please punish me."
Du Qi said, "The ignorant are innocent. It's fine."
Liu Yao hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
At that moment, Liu Yao's mind was racing. He never expected that the divine item he prepared would be a fruit. However, Liu Yao was unwilling to miss the opportunity. Even though Du Qi said that he could rule Shaozhou in the future if he did his job well, or even have a better future, Liu Yao was not willing to accept such a situation. He wished for more.
At the very least, he would be able to help Du Qi further.
Suddenly, Liu Yao thought of something. He said, "Your Majesty, this lowly official has thought of two other matters. Perhaps these two matters can help Your Majesty attack Li Shimin."
Du Qi asked, "What is it?"
Liu Qiong reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the first matter is the various counties within Shaozhou. Li Shimin has issued an order, ordering the people of the counties not to resist and to directly submit to Your Majesty. Afterwards, they will cause trouble for Your Majesty and even launch sneak attacks on Your Majesty's supply routes."
Du Qi asked, "What's the second matter?"
Liu Yao's information was rather useful. After all, with this premise, Du Qi could make arrangements to ensure that he would not be deceived by the various counties. For Liu Yao to be willing to reveal this information, it meant that he was truly submitting.
Liu Yao continued, "Your Majesty, the second matter is that this lowly official knows the county magistrate of Qujiang County. The current county magistrate of Qujiang County has been subdued by Li Shimin. This lowly official is willing to go to Qujiang County and persuade Qujiang County Magistrate Zhu Yuwen to submit. This will allow Your Majesty to surround Li Shimin effortlessly and prevent Li Shimin from escaping from Jade Mountain. Qujiang County Magistrate Zhu Yuwen will certainly know many of Li Shimin's arrangements and information. "
Du Qi's eyes shone brightly.
A look of approval appeared on his face.
If Liu Yao could persuade Qujiang County Magistrate to submit, it would naturally be good.
Du Qi pondered for a moment and said, "If you can persuade Qujiang County Magistrate to submit, block Li Shimin's many escape routes, and seal Li Shimin's methods, We will allow you to be the Shaozhou Provincial Governor."
Liu Yao immediately became excited.
The opportunity had come!
Liu Yao said excitedly, "This lowly official will not disappoint Your Majesty. I will definitely persuade Qujiang County Magistrate to submit."
Du Qi said, "We will wait and see."
At this moment, Liu Yao stood up excitedly and said, "Your Majesty, this lowly official will go ahead and make arrangements. When Your Majesty's army arrives at Qujiang County, this lowly official will persuade Qujiang County Magistrate Zhu Yuwen to submit. "
Du Qi waved his hand and said, "Go!"
Liu Yao stood up and excused himself.
Shangguan Yi looked at Liu Yao's departing back and said, "Congratulations, Your Majesty. This Liu Yao took the initiative to volunteer to go south. It will be even more helpful for us to destroy Li Shimin."
Du Qi smiled and said, "Even so, we don't have to pin all our hopes on Liu Yao. In short, it will be best if Liu Yao can complete the task entrusted to him. But if he can't, it won't affect us. "
Shangguan Yi nodded. Du Qi's words were reasonable.
Du Qi, Shangguan Yi, Ma Zhou, Xiao Yuanqi, and the others chatted, ate, and drank wine. They appeared to be quite relaxed. This was because the current Xia Xia's general trend had been formed. Even if Du Qi did not take the initiative to attack, as long as Du Qi went south, the various regions would naturally submit to him.
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