Liu Qiang returned to the county and quickly made arrangements. Then, he left the county with Pu Changzhi and quickly rode south to Qujiang County. Liu Qiang was now wholeheartedly thinking of making contributions to complete his mission. Because once he made contributions, he could be promoted and become the Shaozhou Provincial Governor.
This was an excellent opportunity.
The reason why Liu Jie knew the county magistrate of Qujiang, Zhu Yuwen, was because although he was a few years younger than Zhu Yuwen, and Zhu Yuwen was even slightly older than him, the two of them were from the same sect and studied under the same teacher.
Although Liu Qiang was younger, he was the first to enter the sect and was the senior. He and Zhu Yuwen had been exchanging letters on a daily basis. It was because of this that Liu Qiang dared to persuade Zhu Yuwen.
Liu Fei continued to travel without stopping. When it was almost evening, the two of them found a village to rest for the time being. The two of them stayed together at night. Although Liu Qiang was quite tired, he did not feel sleepy.
He was still quite excited.
Liu Qiang looked at Pu Changzhi and said, "Mister Pu, we will reach Qujiang County in at most half a day. We will reach Qujiang County before tomorrow afternoon. If we succeed this time, I will appoint Mister Pu as the Chief Scribe of the Provincial Governor's Office. "
Pu Changzhi said, "Thank you, County Magistrate."
He was very happy and his face showed a bright smile. Previously, he was only Liu Qiang's aide. Once he became the Chief Scribe of the Provincial Governor's Office, he would be the second most important person in the province. At that time, although he was only an aide, he was appointed by the imperial court as the Chief Scribe of a province. He would be like a carp leaping over the dragon's gate.
Liu Qiang said, "When we reach Qujiang County, you will be in charge of contacting the people of the Liu Clan in Qujiang County. Then, I will go see Zhu Yuwen. When the time comes, we will work on both sides and make progress at the same time. "
Pu Changzhi nodded and agreed.
The two of them discussed the arrangements for reaching Qujiang County and arranged everything clearly before they went to rest.
The next morning. Early in the morning.
Liu Qiang took Pu Changzhi and set off for Qujiang County again. They rushed all the way south. Although the weather was still quite hot, Liu Qiang did not mind at all. They reached Qujiang County just after noon.
After entering the city, Liu Chang went straight to the Liu Family's stronghold. After washing up and changing his clothes, Liu Chang asked Pu Changzhi to contact the Liu Clan's people in Qujiang County while he waited in his residence.
Because he was worried that there would be spies, he did not go to see Zhu Yuwen for the time being. When the sky was completely dark and night fell, Liu Qiong got up and left the mansion. He went to the county yamen and knocked on the door, asking for an audience. He gave his name, and the gatekeeper went to announce his arrival. Not long after, the gatekeeper came to lead Liu Cheng into the mansion.
Liu Jie met Zhu Yuwen in the study.
Zhu Yuwen was over forty years old, but he looked rather old. His sideburns had long turned white, and his face had a weathered look. When Zhu Yuwen saw Liu Cheng, he asked in a deep voice, "Senior Martial Brother, why did you come from Cheng Chang County to Qujiang? I heard that Shen Chang County was attacked by Du Qi, and it is very likely that it has already fallen. Now that you've come south to Qujiang, could it be that Qiechang County has really fallen? "
After taking a seat, Liu Qiong said, "Junior Martial Brother, the reason why I came to Qujiang County is not because Cheng Chang County has fallen, but because I have something to do. Cheng Chang County has not fallen, but under my leadership, it has pledged allegiance to Xia Xia. I'm now working for Xia Xia. The reason why I came south to Qujiang County is to persuade you to surrender, hoping that you can pledge allegiance to Xia Xia. "
Zhu Yuwen raised his brows and said, "Senior Martial Brother, His Majesty has sent us a letter, saying that once Xia Xia's army comes, we can take the opportunity to pledge allegiance. But it's just a pretense. Looking at your posture now, it's clear that you've really pledged allegiance to Du Qi. Under such circumstances, you've betrayed His Majesty and the Tang dynasty. "
Liu Qiong chuckled and said in a relaxed manner, "Junior Martial Brother Zhu, I've indeed betrayed the Tang dynasty and Li Shimin. But you tell me, has Li Shimin ever done anything to us to help us? Is there any gratitude for recognizing our worth? On the contrary, as soon as he arrived in Shaozhou, he set up problems for us everywhere. What's more, when you compare the situation between Xia Xia and the Tang dynasty, can't you tell? "
Zhu Yuwen immediately fell silent upon hearing this.
The current situation was indeed quite unfavorable.
Xia Xia came with a menacing momentum, like a tiger that could swallow thousands of miles. But now, Li Shimin was like a tiger that had fallen to the plains, and even everything in the Tang dynasty had fallen into a desperate situation, the most difficult situation.
Was it possible to resist the Xia Country?
That was probably impossible.
Previously, the Tang dynasty had made arrangements to block and even destroy the bridges along the way. But from beginning to end, this did not have any effect at all, and could not stop Xia Xia's offensive at all.
On the contrary, Xia Xia was still invincible.
Liu Qiong saw that Zhu Yuwen didn't speak, so he continued in a low voice, "Junior Martial Brother Zhu, to speak from the bottom of my heart, putting aside our future in the officialdom, the two of us each have countless concerns. My Liu family is in Cheng Chang County, and your Zhu family is in Qujiang County. Both are big families with countless clansmen. "
After a pause, Liu Qiong continued, "If you don't consider other things, don't you think you should consider your clansmen? You want to be loyal to Li Shimin, but if you and Xia Xia fight to the death, you will die, and the Zhu family's foundation of more than a hundred years will be destroyed. Even the nine generations of the Zhu family will be wiped out, and not even chickens and dogs will be left. Are you willing to face such a situation? "
Zhu Yuwen's expression was even more solemn.
Zhu Yuwen was not a young and inexperienced person, nor was he a hot-blooded young man who had just stepped out of his house. As the head of a family, he knew that once he died in battle, or even if he was loyal to the Tang dynasty and eventually lost, the consequences would be even more unimaginable.
This was an unimaginable consequence.
Zhu Yuwen sighed and said, "Senior Martial Brother, you don't have to persuade me. I already know what to do."
Liu Qiong smiled and said, "Junior Martial Brother Zhu, you are a smart man. You know what to do and what not to do. And you and I are the same. How can we be willful in the officialdom? It is not easy for a family to prosper. It needs the right time, the right people, and the right people. Once the family is weak, it will be trampled on by countless people. This is something that must not happen. Therefore, you and I can only look forward. "
Zhu Yuwen said, "I know."
After a pause, Zhu Yuwen said, "What do you need me to do here?"
Liu Qiong said in a heavy voice, "Provide as much information about Li Shimin as possible. The more detailed it is, the more advantageous it will be for His Majesty to attack Li Shimin. This Li Shimin is a rabbit. He runs very fast. This time, we must capture him. We can't let him escape. "
Zhu Yuwen said, "After Li Shimin arrived in Qujiang County, he did not station himself in the city, but entrenched himself in Jade Mountain. I don't know the specific situation. After all, I have never entered Jade Mountain. I only know a little about the surrounding situation at the foot of Jade Mountain. "
Liu Qiong said, "Junior Martial Brother, you and I are martial brothers. Brothers of one heart, our sharpness can cut through gold. Only then can we rise together. Right now you don't know anything. This is very difficult. How can you render meritorious service? Li Shimin is hiding in Jade Mountain. You have been the County Magistrate of Qujiang County for more than ten years. I don't believe you don't know a way to deal with him. "
Speaking to this point, Liu Qiong continued, "Junior Martial Brother, when conducting yourself and doing things, you must remember to be indecisive. If you are indecisive, you will suffer instead. When the opportunity comes, if you don't grasp it, you will miss it. Right now, no matter what the situation is, think of a way to deal with Li Shimin first. As long as there is a way to deal with Li Shimin, the two of us will have a chance to take a step forward. "
Zhu Yuwen pondered in his heart.
He also agreed with Liu Qiong. Since he had decided to pledge allegiance to Du Qi, naturally there was nothing to say. He would do whatever he had to do. Furthermore, he must maximize the benefits.
Zhu Yuwen pondered for a moment and suddenly said, "Speaking of dealing with Li Shimin, I do have a way."
Liu Qiong's eyebrows raised in joy, he said, "Quickly tell me."
Zhu Yuwen said, "Li Shimin is hiding in Jade Mountain. As for what kind of situation he is in, I really don't know. But what I do know is that after coming down from Jade Mountain, as well as walking along the river around Jade Mountain, there are some ferries and docks, as well as some easy landing spots.
As long as we arrange people on the water ahead of time to destroy these areas, we will set fire to the mountain. Then he would set fire to the mountain, and Li Shimin would fall into a predicament. After all, the weather is getting hotter and hotter. Under the scorching sun, Li Shimin's army will definitely not be able to hide in the mountain. "
Zhu Yuwen said, "Because the waterways are sealed, it will be even more impossible for Li Shimin to escape. This method can achieve the effect of removing the firewood from under the cauldron. "
"Wonderful!"
After hearing it, Liu Qiong's face was full of excitement.
This was an excellent suggestion.
Liu Qiong sternly said, "Junior Brother, let's stay in Qujiang County and wait for His Majesty's army to arrive. Then, you and I will welcome His Majesty into the city and tell him the plan, asking His Majesty to carry it out. But before that, you must arrange people with me to set up along the river of Jade Mountain. Be prepared to destroy the docks at any time. At that time, we can cut off Li Shimin's escape route. In short, we must arrange everything properly and wait for His Majesty to arrive. "
Zhu Yuwen said, "No problem!"
Since he had made up his mind, there was no reason for him to refuse. Naturally, he would go all out to help. Zhu Yuwen and Liu Qiong discussed the strategy and began to discuss the details of the plan. They perfected the whole plan one by one and took care of the rest of the details. At this time, Liu Qiong bid farewell and left.
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