Tibet

Li Ye has been in Chengdu during this period. He is busy meeting officials from various places. Although he has given the imperial court the power to appoint and remove officials, it does not mean that the imperial court can replace all officials in Bashu. On the contrary, most officials must still be retained. Come down.

Therefore, Li Ye also needs to win over local officials, at least to make them understand the situation. Bashu has the final say, not the court.

Unless they are truly upright and honest, and have a clean slate, inspectors and internal guards will inevitably become their nightmare.

Of course, he also likes upright and honest officials. It doesn't matter if he is loyal to the imperial court, as long as he works according to the system. Loyalty to the imperial court will also be loyal to himself in the future.

In the morning, Li Ye met with Li Zhong, the governor of Langzhou, and Wu Liang, the chief historian, at the official residence of the Jiedushi Envoy in Jiannan.

Li Ye heard that the two of them actually left Jiameng Pass and took a detour through Jianmen Pass to Chengdu. He was really surprised and asked, "Is there no direct official road from Langzhong to Chengdu?"

Li Zhong smiled bitterly and said: "Of course there is an official road. Take the official road from the southwest to Zizhou, then cross Fu River, and finally reach Chengdu. Although the mountain road is ups and downs, it is not difficult to walk. The key is that there is a section of mountain road in the middle, which is salty. In Leizu Mountain in Ting County, there is a group of bandits who occupy the mountains. There are probably several hundred people. The leader is called Yang Xing. They are very cruel. They specialize in blocking the mountain roads and robbing merchants. We really don't dare to walk on that mountain road."

Li Ye frowned and asked: "Not only in Zizhou, but also in Bashu, there are many bandits like this. Why?"

Li Zhong nodded, "Originally there were very few, but after Li Lin arrived, a large number of soldiers were recruited. In order to reduce military salaries, they continued to increase taxes in Jiannan Road and Shannan West Road. Not only did the field tax and household tax double, but also added new ones. More than 20 kinds of taxes have been paid, and taxes have been increased, which has led to the bankruptcy of a large number of farmers, the deprivation of the people's livelihood, and the rise of bandits everywhere. This Yang Xing is just one of them."

Li Ye nodded. Another point is that Li Lin has received all the state soldiers from each state in Chengdu. Without the state soldiers in each state, it is difficult to ensure the safety of the local area.

"What suggestions do you have for me? Or if there are any difficulties in Langzhou, just tell me."

Li Zhong and Wu Liang looked at each other, and Li Zhong bowed and said: "Actually, we only have two hopes. First, to abolish exorbitant taxes and frivolous corvees and low taxes, so that the people can recuperate; second, to eliminate banditry. These mountain bandits are really killing the people." It’s a terrible trap, but as long as these two points can be realized, Bashu’s soil and water are fertile and the people are hard-working, we can recover in a few years.”

Li Ye nodded, "I understand. This is actually not only your request, but also the common aspiration of other states. In the next two days, I will issue an order for tax exemption for one year. As for the bandits, there is no need to worry, my The army has begun to clear out bandits in various places, and will soon arrive in Langzhou."

Li Zhong and Wu Liang were overjoyed and bowed together: "Thank you for putting people's livelihood first. We, the 200,000 people in Langzhou, are willing to be loyal to Your Highness!"

Li Zhong and Wu Liang resigned, and Li Ye asked them to wait in Chengdu for a few days. He immediately ordered people to find Bai Xiaode.

After a while, Bai Xiaode hurriedly came in and saluted, "See you, Your Highness!"

"Just now, the governor of Langzhou reported to me that there are mountain bandits on Leizu Mountain in Yanting County, Zizhou. The leader is Yang Xing and he has hundreds of people. They have cut off the official road from Langzhou to Chengdu. Do you know this bandit group? bandit?"

Bai Xiaode was responsible for leading 35,000 troops to suppress bandits in various places. Li Ye asked him to eliminate all bandits in Jiannan Road and Shannan West Road within three days.

Bai Xiaode smiled bitterly and said: "I didn't know there was a group of bandits over there. There are so many bandits. I'm a bit worried. Okay! Beizhi will arrange the army now."

Li Ye waved his hand and said with a smile: "We will arrange the army later. You will sit down first."

Bai Xiaode sat down, and Li Ye sent someone to find Duan Xiushi and Chen Huan. Soon Duan Xiushi and Chen Huan arrived in a hurry.

Duan Xiushi will serve as the deputy envoy of Jiannan Jiedu, controlling 50,000 troops. Chen Huan will serve as the transfer envoy of Jiannan and Shannan West Road, and will also serve as the supervisory envoy of the two roads. Cui Yuan will serve as the governor of Jiannan Jiedu. This is Li Ye made adjusted personnel arrangements based on the results of negotiations with the imperial court.

Li Ye asked Duan Xiushi and Chen Huan to sit down, and then said to the three of them: "I just mentioned the suppression of bandits to General Bai. Now I find that it is unrealistic for regular troops to go to various places to suppress bandits. I think it is better to restore the state troops as soon as possible, just in time to defend the army." Boyu has almost reorganized the 80,000 surrendered troops, leaving 30,000 troops behind, and the rest have been sent home.

According to my intention, we will use the soldiers' respective hometowns as camps. This is to prepare for the state soldiers. Our general Guanlong will serve as the state soldiers. I will hand over these 30,000 troops to Lao Duan. You must send them to the states as soon as possible. Stationing and launching the suppression of bandits involves a lot of matters, including military camps, food and grass, etc., as well as contact with state capitals. Chen Changshi has to prepare food and grass materials in place. There are many things and the pressure is relatively high. We have to think of a Fast and stable method. "

Duan Xiushi smiled and said: "I just discussed it with Chen Shijun. Our plan is to first issue a military order from Jiannan Jiedu Mansion and send people to inform the two state government offices so that they can be prepared. The most important thing is to prepare military camps. Then the state soldiers went to each state, and we sent ships to transport the food temporarily."

Li Ye nodded, "This plan is good, let's start implementing it in the next two days! The state army is part of our military power, and it is also under the jurisdiction of Jiannan Jiedu Prefecture. The state army department is established, with Wang Enmao as the capital commander. It must be concentrated twice a year Training, state soldiers enjoy the treatment of second-class soldiers."

Wang Enmao was Duan Xiushi's deputy general, and in fact the state troops were also commanded by Duan Xiushi.

At this time, Bai Xiaode asked: "What does the humble function do?"

Li Ye smiled slightly and said: "You send troops to exterminate all the thirty-six bandits on the list, plus the bandits from Leizu Mountain in Yanting County, there are thirty-seven in total. Send troops to exterminate them separately, and then the newly discovered bandits and thieves will be eliminated by The state soldiers are in charge.

In addition, it is limited to one month. After one month, if all the bandits on the list have not been wiped out, they will be handed over to the state soldiers. The military power will also be transferred to Lao Duan, and you will return to Jincheng County. "

Bai Xiaode breathed a sigh of relief, otherwise the bandits would emerge one after another, and he would really be in trouble.

He stood up and said: "I humbly obey the order, and I will go and arrange for the suppression of bandits in Yanting County!"

Bai Xiaode bowed and hurried away.

Li Ye then said to Duan Xiushi and Chen Huan: "The negotiation will be concluded in the next two days. It should be the same as I planned. There will be no changes. I want to talk to you about Cui Yuan now."

The two of them looked solemn. Cui Yuan was removed from the post of governor of Yizhou by His Highness King Qi and was appointed as the governor of Jiannan Jiedu Prefecture. He directly entered the core, which confused the two of them.

Li Ye said slowly: "Cui Yuan was originally Yang Guozhong's confidant and was reused by the Supreme Emperor. When the emperor was the prince, he helped Yang Guozhong suppress the prince. Therefore, the emperor hated him very much. He himself knew it very well. He only Be loyal to me.

But he has extensive connections in Bashu and has a deep understanding of the officialdom of Bashu and Bashu. He will play a great role in our continued control of the officialdom of Bashu. I can give you the bottom line first. I will arrange internal guards to secretly monitor Cui Yuan. One year, if he is really loyal to me, I will continue to reuse him in the future. As long as you get along well with him, you don't need to consider anything else. "

Duan Xiushi and Chen Huan nodded together, "We remember it!"

At this time, Li Ye took out a draft of the King of Qi's order "On canceling all exorbitant taxes and exempting land and household taxes on Jiannan Road and Shannan West Road for one year" and handed it to Chen Huan, "Go and arrange to copy hundreds of copies and add them uniformly." After stamping my seal, they will be distributed to all states and counties, and they must be implemented in the counties. Remember, this is an order from the King of Qi, not an order from Jiannan Jiedu Prefecture."

"I understand the humble position!"

Chen Huan was overjoyed. He had been waiting for this gift from King Qi for a long time. He quickly took the draft and hurried away.

Li Ye then stood up and said with a smile: "Old Duan, come with me to the warehouse to have a look!"