The fox minister in the late Tang Dynasty

Chapter 205 Opening the curtain
The emperor prepared for two years, and ordered the conquest of Xichuan, followed by Zhang Huaiyi, the commander of the Northern Camp, who was imprisoned.

After the news came to Longzhou, Li Maozhen could feel the hunting gaze from the emperor even thousands of miles away. Everyone was not an idiot, so he naturally knew where he would look next after clearing the palace.

After returning to the mansion from the Salt and Iron Administration, Li Maozhen discussed the countermeasures with the generals in the army, the two adopted sons Li Jipeng and Li Jiji, and then the whole Longyou quietly got busy.

After everyone left in twos and threes in the afternoon, he stood alone in the hall, clenching his fists and walking back and forth.

Regardless of whether the emperor will attack Longyou or not, Li Maozhen must take action to prevent accidents. If the emperor's attitude is tough and has a tendency to rejuvenate, then he will stay down and continue to be a loyal minister, but the Great Tang is on the verge of collapse. All the feudal towns are growing, and anyone with a discerning eye can see that the world has changed.

It is indeed imminent to test whether the emperor can tolerate him.

As for Geng Qing, the envoy of salt and iron, it was the best temptation. After getting along for half a month, Li Maozhen's opinion of him has changed somewhat, but it has only changed from a flattering villain to a person who can be used. Embroidered pillows are not valid.

There are many such people around him, and it is unnecessary to stay.

Having settled down in this way, Li Maozhen returned to the military camp outside the city early the next morning, and sent a few more scouts to monitor the Salt and Iron Department.

During the period, the two adoptive sons also came over and waited with them so that they could follow the military order in time.

".The soldiers and horses of Fengxiang have been deployed, right? Twelve thousand people are not allowed to enter the city, so they built an earthen city 1 miles outside the city, forming a corner. , and the Guiyi Army gave some gifts to the Zhang family, so as not to jump up and down behind their backs."

Li Maozhen closed her eyes and tried hard to remember where there might be mistakes. After giving the order, she slowly opened her eyes, "By the way, how about the Salt and Iron Administration?"

In the middle of the big tent, Li Jiji stood up and looked at the ground with arched hands and half-drowned eyes, "Back to father, there is no movement from the Salt and Iron Department, as usual, they are all forging iron in the courtyard."

Li Maozhen closed her eyes again and nodded.

"Don't disturb them, do the work at hand properly, after the armor is cast, then do it. Jiji, I will work harder for you during this period."

"Here."

Li Jiji looked at him, clasped his hands in response, and came out of the big tent. It was a rare autumn rain. In the misty water, the soldiers passing by saluted him one after another. Li Jiji smiled and nodded, his expression changed slightly after the soldiers left. Changed, remembering that day when he heard the words in the hall under the eaves, coldness appeared in his eyes.

". Jiji will work harder for you during this time."

The foster father's words just now are recollected now, and they are even harsher, "It's just that I'm being used as a cow and a horse."

He raised his head to look at the continuous rain, gritted his teeth tightly, and there was a cold air between his brows.Not long after, a soldier came to pass on the order of the adoptive father, he calmed down and continued to work. It was already night when he arrived and returned to the city. Soon someone left secretly from the mansion with a letter.

The movements in Longzhou were fairly hidden, the people in the city and the Hu merchants hadn't noticed the movement of soldiers and horses, they just vaguely felt that there were more soldiers patrolling the streets.

In the Salt and Iron Department, when Geng Qing woke up, it was already morning, the light was yellowish, and it was shining through the paper window on the messy desk, and the dust was flying in the reflected light.

Without the close-fitting Qiaoniang or Bai Yunxiang to serve him, he took care of himself during this time, he seemed a little lazy, so he called Dachun to bring in water, after washing up, he took the letter he had written overnight on the table, and came out After taking a picture of Jiuyu who was sitting in the courtyard, he sat over to the stove, picked up a finished arm armor, and looked through it.

He called the craftsman to discuss it with great interest, as if he didn't care about what happened outside.

"What did you write in the letter?"

Jiuyu flipped through the letter, but didn't read the writing on it. He folded it and put it inside his clothes. Over there, Geng Qing put down his armor and discussed with the craftsman. Lu took a sip.

"What else can I write? Give me a pillow when I'm sleepy. By the way, remember to add a sentence after seeing him."

"say what?"

Geng Qing blew on the heat from the porridge, opened his mouth, and shook his head with a broken smile, "Forget it, let's not talk, you go."

There was a short "cut" sound over there, and after Jiuyu left, Geng Qing drank the porridge, imitated the appearance of a blacksmith, picked up a hammer and beat, worked for a while, and asked Shang Dachun to go out and go to the nearby Fangjie Silk Shop bought some cloth.

There were people coming and going, and some eyes stayed on the figure who was holding the cloth and going to the carriage. When the carriage left, he turned around and passed the handwritten note out.

After several twists and turns, it fell into the hands of Li Maozhen. At this time, he was in the mansion. After reading the above content, he shook his head and laughed, and threw the note on the ground casually.

"I looked up to him before, but he had some eloquence. Now he is really useless except for his craftsmanship. He is doing trivial things all day long, and it is difficult to make a big difference."

Recently, he has been concentrating on arranging soldiers and horses. The Salt and Iron Administration is only under surveillance. That person may have some talent, but after all, there is no need to worry too much.

After noon, when Li Maozhen was looking at the note and muttering, Geng Qing was also in the courtyard, making the piece of silk cloth into military uniforms by the tailor he invited.

The parts of the Mingguang armor were assembled and built one by one on a big chair. The red military uniform inside was on the outside, and the mighty Mingguang armor was on the outside. Sitting there like a living warrior, Da Ma Jin Dao.

"Perfect." Geng Qing snapped his fingers and praised.

Soon the night fell, and the sky and the earth gradually became dark.

Compared with the streets in the city where there is no curfew, this courtyard is surprisingly quiet. Jianghu men sit in corners or eaves, sharpening their blades silently, occasionally raising their eyes, and glance at the armor placed in the middle of the nave. The figure moved around with a candle to illuminate it, and then he lowered his face and continued to polish the weapon.

In the dim central hall, Geng Qing held up a candle and carefully inspected the handwork of each nail leaf and joint. The shiny metal reflected the candlelight and human faces. Next to it, Jiuyu had already returned, standing not far away.

For a while.

Looking at the armor leaves, Geng Qing said in a low voice: "Tomorrow, I will invite Li Jiedu envoy to collect the armor."

He blew on the human face reflected on the nail leaves, covering it with mist.

Early the next morning, Li Maozhen, who just woke up next to her concubine, received a message from the Salt and Iron Administration, laughed a few times, put on her robes and went out.

After the order was issued, when he walked out of the mansion, troops and horses were already waiting, more than a thousand armored infantry, and three hundred cavalry were lined up in long lines.

Li Maozhen got on the horse, and Li Jipeng, who was a few steps behind, waved his hand and said softly: "Let's go."

(End of this chapter)