Chapter 36: Complaints
Li Ji waved his hands and said:
"Lao Yu, please don't talk nonsense!"
He looked at Lao Yang and said, "I am training for Master Liu. I am just helping. I am living under someone else's roof and begging for a meal."
Lao Yu thought that the child was frightened.
Training new troops is of course the government's job, what are you afraid of?
How can your little effort create any waves?
"Xiaoxian, I heard you were injured. Let me take a look."
Old Yang asked lovingly, grabbing Li Ji's arm.
Lao Yu also came over and asked with concern:
"Xiaoxian, let's see, aren't we friends? Show some concern."
Li Ji had no choice but to watch since they were all men.
He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a jade pendant.
"This jade pendant is very valuable. I see you wear it around your neck all the time?" asked Lao Yang.
"Yes, I have had it since I was born. My mother gave it to me. Is this what I have always wanted?"
Old Yang winked at Old Yu, and Old Yu nodded, meaning that this was the jade pendant that the prince had given as a gift that year.
Li Ji's arrow wound has healed, but there is still a scar.
Lao Yu took a breath and said:
"I heard that you have been appointed as the governor of Pingyuan County. Don't act rashly in the future. Think twice before doing anything."
Li Ji thought, this old Yu is quite well-informed. Isn't it time to hand over the information? I haven't even entered the Tongshou yamen yet!
Lao Yu smelled the fragrant aroma of roast chicken.
"Xiaoxian, what kind of chicken are you cooking? It smells so good?"
Li Ji thought, since you are here, let’s try my cooking.
He used chopsticks to pour out the plain braised chicken.
"Lao Yu, Lao Yang, don't be shy, just do it!"
Lao Yu reached out and grabbed a chicken leg.
"Xiaoxian, I didn't expect you to be a gourmet. This chicken is delicious. We'll come here often to eat in the future."
When Lao Yu was speaking, Li Ji looked up and saw that there was a black mole on Lao Yu's lips.
According to the principles of physiognomy, people with black moles on their lips like to eat and drink a lot.
Often a gourmet.
Li Ji thought, the system will reward me with a hundred chicks, you, Lao Yu and Lao Yang, can have a try.
But I also want to make it for my soldiers to try.
Li Ji took out a jar of "Gaolianghong" liquor from his cupboard.
Chatting and drinking with Lao Yu and Lao Yang.
Lao Yu said:
"The Central Plains is not peaceful right now. There are bandits everywhere."
Old Yang was very surprised. He said angrily:
"I heard that Qi County has been occupied by Hao Xiaode's troops. The commander Liu Hong has also surrendered to him."
Li Ji asked: "How come Liu Hong just took office and joined the bandits? Why doesn't the government send troops to kill them now?"
Lao Yu replied, "Xiaoxian, there are bandits everywhere now, how can the government have so much power? I think your new army is also very weak."
Li Ji said hurriedly, "Finally you are right. I heard Lord Liu complain that the government's military pay is not enough, the manpower is insufficient, and it is difficult to improve the combat effectiveness for the time being."
Liu Hong has even defected to the rebel army, and the government has no say on it.
It seems that Pingyuan County will be taken over by the rebel army sooner or later.
At this time Ye Fan interrupted and said: "Lord Liu was also forced to do so. His son Liu Jun was caught by Hao Xiaode."
"If Liu Hong doesn't surrender, Hao Xiaode will kill him."
Li Ji was surprised and said, "That guy attacked me in the military parade ground and injured me. How did he get caught by the bandits?"
Three months of betting that kid was in trouble, and it fucking came true.
"Liu Hong still refused to agree, so Hao Xiaode had to cut off one of Liu Jun's hands and gave it to Liu Hong. Liu Hong was forced to surrender and open the gate to welcome Hao Xiaode into the city."
Lao Yu asked worriedly, "Xiao Xian, you are taking office now, how is the defense of Pingyuan County?"
Li Ji heard this and replied with a sad face:
"To be honest, it is still difficult to raise military funds and expand the army in a short period of time when we are short of money and food."
Li Ji learned his lesson from the mountain temple, and he did not dare to easily recruit Lao Yu and Lao Yang into his gang.
He thought that Lao Yang was a wealthy businessman and had plenty of money.
But their money doesn't just come from water.
Everyone has their own aspirations. Lao Yang doesn't want to rebel, nor does he want to get an official position. He just wants to make money. What can you do?
In troubled times, people who have a backer can make money.
With the support of the government, it is easy for him to make money.
Li Ji raised his head and drank a glass of wine, saying with a bit of complaint:
"You think His Majesty doesn't know about this? With war and bandits everywhere, how can he sit still ?"
Lao Yang felt uncomfortable all over. He looked directly at Lao Yu with anger in his eyes.
Lao Yu knew clearly that information about the bandit problem had been suppressed in all places.
Only good news is reported, not bad news. Once the emperor arrives here, the national situation is good.
He hurriedly said, "Xiaoxian, don't complain. Think about it, how difficult it is to be the emperor?"
Li Ji asked in confusion:
"This emperor eats, drinks and plays all day long. Isn't he living like a god?"
Lao Yu, you are already old, but you don’t think before you speak!
"You don't know that the treasury is empty after the expedition to Goryeo in the east, the attack on the Turks in the north, and the expansion of the territory in the west. There is no money!"
Li Ji asked, "Where did the money collected from various places go?"
Old Yang slammed the table and said, "The Central Plains has been hit by severe drought for many years. Many fields have no harvest. The harvest is poor, and the government's income has been further devastated."
When Lao Yu saw Lao Yang's unhappy expression, he hurriedly said:
"Xiao Xian, we should also be considerate of His Majesty."
"There are 190 counties, 1,255 counties, and more than 8.9 million farmers in the Celestial Empire."
"The territory is 9,300 li from east to west and 14,815 li from north to south."
Lao Yu spat the chicken bone in his mouth onto the table and continued:
"With so many institutions, such a large territory, and so many people, every item must cost money. Do you think it's easy for Your Majesty?"
Lao Yang's expression relaxed and he smiled.
"Xiaoxian, don't worry. Lao Yu and I are both businessmen, and we have saved some money in the past few years."
He put down his wine glass and asked Li Ji with a smile:
"How about we sponsor you to fight the bandits and defend Pingyuan County?"
After hearing this, Li Ji said for a long time, "Old Yang, I like what you said."
I am now the governor of Pingyuan County, and it is my responsibility to ensure peace in the area.
Liu Hong went to Hao Xiaode, but I couldn’t go to Liu Lisha.
I'm going to fight them to the end.
He patted his chest and said, "Old Yang, as long as there is money, the soldiers' salaries will be paid on time. The fighting capacity will not be weakened."
"I will reinforce the city walls. I think we will be able to defeat the rabble."
When Old Yang heard this, he said carelessly: "My son, you have guts!"
When Li Ji heard this, he asked, "Old Yang, what did you say?"
No matter how good my relationship with you, Li Ji, is, I have my bottom line.
I didn't agree to make you my godfather, and you're not my biological father. My parents died a few years ago.
Lao Yu noticed that Li Ji frowned and shook his head, so he quickly explained:
"This is Lao Yang's colloquialism. Whenever he is happy, he will say 'my son'."
Li Ji was delighted when he heard this and thought to himself, you have colloquialisms, and I, Li Ji, have them too, your mother.
Lao Yu and Lao Yang were talking to Li Ji when suddenly Ye Fan came running over and reported:
"Oh no! A large group of people appeared at the South Gate!"
