Just as the people of Qingyang and Jinzhou were celebrating our victory over the Luobi invasion, Lu Man, who was good at stirring up trouble and creating momentum, began his new round of recruitment propaganda plan. When I changed into plain clothes, walked out of the city guard's gate with Di Leina and Lu Xianxian to the busiest Wufeng Avenue, I saw a scene that stunned me.
This is the street named after me, and it was renamed at the request of the people in the city. The recruitment office on the street was crowded with people. The young and middle-aged people who had signed up were lined up in several long queues with no end, and they were anxiously waiting for the recruitment personnel to inspect and select them. There is a huge propaganda poster above. In the center of the painting is a picture of me dressed in military uniform, looking stern, with my hands on my back and facing the sky. It can be seen that my painting skills are quite exquisite. There are a few huge words full of strong rhetorical questions next to it: "Do you want to be an all-powerful general? Do you want to be the new idol of imperial women? Do you want to be a national hero who will go down in history? Come on, join the army to realize what you want in your heart. Dream on!!!”
I casually took a piece of promotional material. It still had my image on it, but it was replaced by an image of me wearing ordinary soldier uniforms. "Six years ago, he, Li Wufeng, was just an ordinary member of the Imperial Army. With loyalty, bravery, and wit, and through countless bloody tests, he finally became the pride of the Empire and the hero of the nation. Come on. Come on, raise your strong hands, take your solid steps, and join the army to achieve your highest goal in life!!!" If I were an ordinary young man, I would probably be swayed by this series of propaganda attacks. Attracted, can't wait to join the army.
Both Di Leina and Lu Xianxian were very amused by such an exaggerated promotional poster. After seeing it, I could only shake my head and smile helplessly. This Luman is really a talent, and he will make full use of my image advantage. It seems that when necessary , I can also ask for a considerable amount of image rights royalties from the War Readiness Administration.
Qingyang Fucheng is now a medium-sized city full of vigor and vitality. Compared with two years ago, it can hardly be measured in miles. The influx of nearly 800,000 immigrants not only caused the city's popularity to skyrocket, but also brought a large number of cheap labor. It also fully developed the city's handicraft industry, commerce, and entertainment service industries. The victory of the war against the Luobi people , and gradually restored the value of the moribund transportation hub. I think after this war, Qingyang’s economy will develop faster. After the threat of the Luobei people is eliminated, there is no longer any force in this area. Now that I can challenge my leadership position, the next step will be to expand my sphere of influence even more, and continue to enhance my economic and military strength to prepare for greater benefits.
While I was imagining a bright future, I strolled casually on the streets of Qingyang City. Di Leina and Lu Xianxian probably rarely went to the streets to live like ordinary people, and they seemed to be very interested. They held my hands and went in and out. Shop, but the good times didn't last long. Someone soon recognized me. Before being surrounded by excited people, I had to lead the two ladies to hurriedly break out of the crowd and escape back to the city guard's mansion.
Just when the people of Qingyang and Jinzhou were celebrating the victory over the Luobi people, and I was ambitiously hoping to gain greater benefits from the victory of this battle, the people of Zhongzhou, the imperial capital thousands of miles away, were Caught in a mixture of joy and sorrow.
As early as August, many media in the imperial capital began to reveal that the situation in Guide and Bonan in the northwest counties of the empire had begun to deteriorate. The inaction of the local government made the situation even more dangerous. Moreover, due to the spread of rebel forces in these two prefectures, It has radiated to surrounding prefectures. Various signs of instability have already appeared in Longdong Prefecture in Guanxi County and Heishan Prefecture in Heshuo County.
Although the Imperial Press and Publication Administration strictly restricted negative reports on this aspect, the news was still quickly known to the people of the imperial capital. Entering September, the situation in Guide and Bonan Prefectures became even worse. The local government security forces were continuously wiped out by the rebels, and the remaining troops were besieged in the city. on one's last legs. Many news media were also influenced by some powerful people with interests in the two governments, and they constantly criticized the central government of the empire for its lack of response and sitting back and watching the situation in Guide and Bonang deteriorate.
The central government of the empire is also in trouble. The Heathrow Empire, the Kaman Empire and the Kingdom of Poole are all keenly aware of the empire's predicament, and have stationed hundreds of thousands of troops in the border areas of the empire. Kaman will be stationed in the Principality of Jerok. The strength of the occupying forces in Macheng increased to 200,000, and they continued to assume a posture of marching southward and westward, forcing the troops in the northern and western military regions of the empire to not dare to act rashly. Taixuan Mansion, the only one that could draw out mobile troops, not only withstood the pressure from The dual pressures of the Sisluo Empire and the Kaman Empire, and Sun Yuanliang's troops in Yinchuan Prefecture also began to mobilize frequently and moved to the junction area with Taixuan Prefecture and Guide Prefecture. Although Fielding knew the purpose of these parties He just wanted to prevent himself from sending troops to help Guide and Bonan, but in the face of such a severe situation, he did not dare to act rashly and had to firmly strengthen his defense. He could only say sorry to Guide and Bonan for asking for help. .
The unstable situation in the surrounding areas has also increased the uneasiness of local governments. They constantly wrote to the central government of the empire, saying that the situation in their territories was critical and that they needed to strengthen the garrison. They strongly opposed the removal of the garrison from their territories, forcing them to withdraw part of the garrison that they originally intended. The proposal of the military headquarters for regular armies from various places to go to the northwest was also shelved several times at the Imperial Council. Immediately afterwards, the empire's attention was attracted by the large-scale invasion of the Luobi people, and the requests for help from Guide and Bonan were temporarily ignored. It wasn't until I learned that I had defeated the invading Luo Bei army that my attention returned to Guide and Bonan, and the use of troops in the two mansions was put on the agenda again.
In order to divert the public's attention from the deteriorating situation in the two provinces of Guide and Bonan, the empire also instructed various news media to publicize my victory over the Luobi invasion. Major newspapers and periodicals even reported on my glorious results in endless articles. In particular, I captured more than 40,000 Luobei prisoners. This is an impressive achievement that has never been achieved in the history of the empire. The empire has always been defeated by how many people were captured. Even the Qingyang defense battle I won the year before last was only I repelled Luobei's invading army, but this time I went deep into the enemy's hinterland, defeated the enemy in one fell swoop, and captured such a large number of prisoners of war that the entire empire felt elated, and ordinary people even sang and danced to celebrate this. A hard-won victory.
However, victory could not cover up the plight of Guide and Bonan, and the rebellion in the two prefectures even tended to spread, forcing the central government of the empire to settle down and seriously consider countermeasures.
On October 15, 693 in the Continental Calendar, the imperial court held another military meeting to discuss how to deal with the changes in the situation in Guide and Bonan. In the Sun and Moon Palace, Situ Mingyue, who was sitting on the throne, looked a little uncertain. He completely defeated the invasion of the Luo Bei people and cut off the Luo Bei people's clutches in the northwest region. He was very excited. However, what followed The rapidly deteriorating situation in Guide and Bonan prefectures also troubled him. Moreover, the increasing power of the rebels in the two prefectures had seriously affected the security of neighboring prefectures. If measures were not taken, it might really lead to a serious disaster.
"My dear friends, the situation is very clear. Everyone is welcome to put forward their own opinions and suggestions. As long as they are beneficial to solving the current complex and dangerous situation, everyone is free of charge. I will never blame you." He looked a little tired. Situ Mingyue half-reclined on the imperial chair and managed the meeting with all her strength.
However, His Highness was completely silent. Almost everyone shrank their necks and did not dare to speak. His Majesty the Emperor had been moody in the past two days. Although he had spoken, if his words were not pleasing to the ears, it would inevitably make His Majesty angry. The military officials who originally proposed to transfer troops from the Western Military Region were unwilling to mention the old talk again because their opinions were shelved, and the scene seemed a bit cold.
"What? Isn't there anyone here who can share my worries?" Situ Mingyue was also a little angry. Usually, this group of people is more active in fighting for power than anyone else, but when it was their turn to come up with a solution to the problem, they all Speechless.
Seeing that His Majesty the Emperor's mood began to deteriorate again, all the ministers felt that there seemed to be signs of another storm coming, and couldn't help but murmur to themselves.
"Father, in fact, in addition to the regular armies in the western and northern military regions of our empire, we have other armies in the northwest region that can support Guide and Bonan!" The person who shocked everyone with this statement was actually the one who usually indulges in sensuality. His Highness Situ Biao was an ordinary-looking young man. He still had that wild and unruly look. Even in front of his father, he didn't restrain himself much.
Due to the regulations passed down by the empire, all male members of the royal family can participate in court affairs after they reach adulthood. Therefore, it is natural for His Highness Situ Biao to attend every court meeting in the imperial court. However, he used to appear very low-key and was not favored by the ministers. It feels like he is just a typical playboy because his mother is very young and beautiful and is His Majesty the Emperor's favorite concubine, and he has no other abilities.
Situ Mingyue couldn't help but frowned. The Taixuan Palace army had already been restrained by the armies of the Sisluo Empire and the Kaman Empire. Where could they find the strength to support them? This is a well-known situation.
"You mean Taixuan Mansion's Fielding's place?" Situ Mingyue was a little irritated.
"No, Father, Taixuan Mansion has too much time to take care of itself right now. I mean Li Wufeng who just defeated the Luo Bei people!" Under his father's stern gaze, Situ Biao became a little more solemn.
A stone struck a thousand waves, and all the ministers of His Highness started talking.
"But after just experiencing the battle with the Luobei people, can Li Wufeng mobilize enough troops to deal with the rebels in Guide and Bonan?" Situ Mingyue was shocked. He was not because of how shocking Situ Biao's remarks were. Surprised, but strange because Situ Biao's usual behavior and today's remarks were very different.
"As far as I know, Li Wufeng will not suffer much loss due to the ambush and surprise strategy he adopted in this battle. He should be able to spare some of his strength to deal with it. What's more, the troops of Yinchuan Prefecture are already stationed in the same area as Taixuan Prefecture and Taixuan Prefecture. In the area bordering Guide Mansion, I think they are not only restraining the Taixuan Mansion's army, but they may have been ordered by the Sisluo people to take the opportunity to occupy Guide Mansion." Situ Biao's unhurried analysis immediately made him It aroused discussion among all the ministers.
Originally, Situ Biao's performance today was enough to shock everyone present, and his speech was actually well-founded, causing many people present to nod in agreement. Several of his half-brothers were even more surprised and jealous. Situ Tai, Situ Jun, Situ Yuan, and Situ Lang secretly listed him as their competitor.
Once Sun Yuanliang of Yinchuan Prefecture occupied Guide Prefecture, the consequences would be disastrous. With his close relationship with the Heathrow Empire, it was equivalent to the Heathrow people's claws extending into the hinterland of the empire, and they could threaten the center of the empire at any time. This is absolutely unacceptable.
"What do you think it should be?" Situ Mingyue couldn't help but become interested in the words of her son, who usually didn't feel very good.
"Give Li Wufeng a name to put down the riots in Guide and Bonan and restore normal order in the area." Situ Biao's voice was very calm.
"Oh? What name do you give him?" Situ Mingyue stared at Situ Biao.
"You can let him serve as the military and political envoy of the northwest county, or as a reward for defeating the Luobi invasion this time." Facing his father's aggressive gaze, Situ Biao did not show any intention of backing down. He just wanted to Use deafening remarks to gain his father's attention, otherwise the original intention of exposing his true face will be lost.
These two short sentences were like a huge thunder that immediately set off a huge wave among the ministers. Military and political governor? ! This is a very important position. Its actual power far exceeds that of the county chief at the same level. In fact, it is equivalent to a local little emperor. The county chief can only manage the daily administrative affairs of a county, cannot form a regular army, and has no decisive power over the personnel and military power at the next level. It must be approved by the central government of the empire before it can be implemented. The Military and Political Jiedushi is quite different. Not only can it form its own army, but it also has absolute power over all aspects of personnel, administration, and military affairs within the county. It does not need to be submitted to the Imperial Central Committee for approval. It only needs to be reported to the Imperial Central Committee for record afterwards. That’s it.
So far, there are only two military and political envoys in the entire empire, one is Sanjiang County and the other is Tiannan County. Sanjiang County was founded more than thirty years ago during the Sanjiang Incident. Lin Yizhi, the contemporary head of the Lin family who was the head of Sanjiang County at the time, was re-elected as head of Sanjiang County for twenty years. The Lin family's power in Sanjiang County was already deeply rooted, and the empire was also aware of this at that time. In a sudden situation, Lin Yizhi wanted to transfer Lin Yizhi to the center of the empire by rotating officials, but Lin Yizhi refused. The empire dismissed Lin Yizhi from his position as county chief, and Lin Yizhi instigated riots in his subordinate governments. rebellion and declared the independence of Sanjiang County. At that time, the empire was busy fighting against the Sisluo Empire, the Kaman Empire, and the Puer Kingdom in the north of the empire, and was unable to suppress the rebellion of the Lin family. The Makhi Khanate in the south also took advantage of the situation and sent troops to invade the Five Kingdoms in the south of the empire. In Lake County, the entire empire is in a precarious situation. Finally, in order to avoid the split of the empire, the Imperial Central Committee secretly reached an agreement with Lin Yizhi. Sanjiang County revoked its independence and still belonged to the imperial territory and was subject to imperial rule and management. The Imperial Central Committee appointed Lin Yizhi as the Military and Political Envoy of Sanjiang County, commanding everything in the county. Military and political affairs. Five years later, in order to resist the increasingly powerful military pressure from the Lin family, the empire appointed Lang Dunming, the then head of Tiannan County, as the military and political envoy of Tiannan County, hoping to use Tiannan County to contain the Lin family of Sanjiang. This did indeed play a role in containing the Lin family at that time. However, as the Lang family's strength gradually increased, the empire's control over Tiannan gradually weakened, and now it no longer has much actual control.
Today, Situ Biao proposed the establishment of a military and political envoy for the northwest county. No wonder the officials reacted so fiercely.