I'm a marquis in Datang

The next morning.

After breakfast, the army set off for the south.

Go to the territory of Shaozhou, Lingnan Road.

Chapter 1336 Zhenchang County Magistrate

Zhenchang County Magistrate

The army broke out of camp and set off to the south, because there were auxiliary soldiers opening the way ahead, even though many roads ahead were blocked and bridges were destroyed, the journey went smoothly without any further delay.

Because when they first entered the border of Shaozhou, the potion arranged by Sun Simiao had already arrived. Every soldier in the army was equipped with the potion, which can repel insects after applying it on their bodies to ensure that they will not be bitten by mosquitoes.

In this way, the soldiers are much more comfortable.

The army entered the border of Shaozhou and arrived at Zhenchang County in the northeast of Shaozhou on Lingnan Road very smoothly.

The land of Zhenchang County is very vast, but there are many mountains, rivers and jungles in the territory.From Jiangnan Road to Zhenchang County, there is only one official road, and even this official road has not yet been paved with concrete.Once the Tang Dynasty ruled the world, all the roads and states in the world built cement roads on the main roads so that they could travel.

Because the territory of Shaozhou is really remote, and the hot weather in such a place is even more unbearable, so Datang has very weak control over Shaozhou, so no roads were built.That's exactly the case, for the Xia Guo army who was on their way

That said, it also played a certain blocking role.It is not easy for soldiers to travel.

Even so, Du Qi's army was getting closer and closer to Zhenchang County.

Zhenchang County, within the county seat.

The study room in the backyard of the county government office.

A middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a blue robe, sat on the main seat.The middle-aged man's name is Liu Qiong, the magistrate of Zhenchang County, and he is a local rich man in Zhenchang County.Even the Liu family is quite influential in Shaozhou.Even if it is not the largest family, it still ranks first.

The Liu family in Zhenchang County has been in Shaozhou for nearly a hundred years, and the magistrate of Zhenchang County has always been a member of the Liu family.

So Liu's family is in Zhenchang County, which is the emperor of Tu.

Liu Qiong looks thin. Although he is a scholar, his skin is slightly dark.His eyes were bright and brilliant.Liu Qiong's eyes fell on a middle-aged literati sitting below, and asked: "Mr. Pu, now Emperor Du Qi of the Xia Kingdom has led his army into Zhenchang County. How should we respond now?"

The name of the middle-aged literati was Pu Changzhi.

It is Liu Qiong's staff.

Pu Changzhi stroked his beard under his chin, smiled slightly and said, "Master, when Li Shimin went south to Zhenchang County, we directly surrendered to Li Shimin, so Li Shimin never touched Zhenchang County, and the county magistrate can continue to sit in Zhenchang County without being affected by it." little impact."

"Now that Du Qi is leading the way to the south, I propose to submit to Du Qi and serve Du Qi."

"After all, the strength in Li Shimin's hands is not Du Qi's opponent according to my inference. We know that Li Shimin can't stop Xia Guo's attack, why should we go to death? Back then, we surrendered to Li Shimin, but we followed the trend. Take care of yourself."

Pu Changzhi said: "Now that Du Qi is here, we will surrender directly. In short, protecting ourselves is the first priority. Whoever wins, we will stand on whose side. In short, neither side should offend."

The corner of Liu Qiong's mouth curled up into a smile, and he praised: "Mr. Pu also knows me. This is what I think. Why should we make trouble after Du Qi leaves? Once Du Qi finds out, we can't afford to go around Go. Instead of this, it is better to submit to Du Qi early, it is better to submit first and then

explain.As for the follow-up situation, we will wait for them to decide the winner before thinking about it. "

Puchang's way: "The county respects the wise!"

Liu Qiong said in a deep voice: "Since we have decided to surrender, sir, what do you think is the best arrangement for us to surrender? In short, since we want to surrender, we should do the surrender well."

Pu Chang's heart is also thinking quickly.

After he thought about it, he said: "Master, in my opinion, to express my sincerity, you personally lead the civil and military officials of Zhenchang County out of the city to meet Xia's army in person. You go to meet Xia's emperor in person, which is the greatest sincerity."

Liu Qiong thought carefully after hearing the words.

Greet in person.

Liu Qiong thought for a while and said, "But I will go to greet you personally. Once the news spreads, once Li Shimin finds out, he will definitely remember what I did. If Li Shimin wins by then, I'm afraid I will be liquidated." .”

Pu Changzhi shook his head and said, "Master Xian, you are wrong."

Liu Qiong said: "How to say?"

Pu Changzhi opened his mouth and said: "First, we surrender to Du Qi.

Arranged by Li Shimin.Li Shimin arranged for the officials of the counties to order us to submit to Du Qi when Du Qi's army went south, and then wait for Du Qi to go south before making trouble for Du Qi's rear.What is wrong with our surrender now? "

"On the contrary, we did this to gain Du Qi's trust and prevent Du Qi from being suspicious. Even if Li Shimin wants to trouble the county lord, the county lord can make excuses and there will be no problem."

"Secondly, I have carefully considered the situation of this battle. On Du Qi's side, there are at least [-] soldiers. And the Xia's weapons are known to the county officials. They are extremely powerful and unmatched. On the other hand, Li Shimin, himself He came south after fleeing from Jiangdu. Li Shimin is in Shaozhou, so he came here for refuge."

"So it's not easy for Li Shimin to resist Du Qi. In fact, Li Shimin has a great possibility of losing. So at the moment, I don't think it's wrong to go out of the city to meet him."

"Xianzun, this is my suggestion."

"Please think twice, the county lord."

Pu Changzhi was just an aide beside Liu Qiong, and he was only responsible for making suggestions.How to plan specifically, how to consider arrangements specifically, that is

Pu Changzhi's question.

At this time, Liu Qiong was also thinking carefully.

Because Pu Changzhi's analysis is very good.

As the head of a clan and the head of a county, Liu Qiong is not an indecisive person.After thinking for a while, he said, "Very well, we will make arrangements according to your suggestion. When Xia's army approaches Zhenchang County, I will personally take people out of the city to meet Du Qi in person."

Puchang's way: "The county respects the wise!"

Liu Qiong continued: "There is another matter involved at the moment, that is, although we have surrendered to Du Qi, especially you have already judged that Du Qi is very likely to destroy Li Tang. So under the current situation, it is better not to We are thinking about being foolish, but about completely submitting to Du Qi. Under such circumstances, how can we really gain a firm foothold under Du Qi's command and get Du Qi's respect. Mr. Pu, what do you think of this matter?"

Pu Chang said: "Master Xian, this is a bit more complicated."

Liu Qiong said: "I know that it is complicated and more difficult to operate, but no matter what, it must be arranged. Since I want to do it, I must do the best. Otherwise, it is better not to do it."

Pu Changzhi quickly used his brain to think.

Because at the moment, it is not easy for Liu Qiong, the head of a county, to get Du Qi's respect.Perhaps in this Zhenchang County, Liu Qiong is the head snake and the emperor of the land. Even in Shaozhou, Liu Qiong can be regarded as the number one person and has a certain influence.

However, in Lingnan Road, looking at a wider area, Liu Qiong is not ranked, and neither is the Liu family.

It's not easy to please Du Qi.

Time passed bit by bit, Pu Changzhi was thinking all the time, and Liu Qiong didn't say a word from the beginning to the end, and never disturbed Liu Qiong.After a while, Pu Changzhi suddenly said: "Yes, I have a plan."

On Liu Qiong's sharp-edged face, a bright smile appeared, and he said, "What plan?"

Pu Changzhi said: "A few days ago, a businessman from overseas offered some fetishes to the county venerable, saying that eating this fetish would prolong life. How about presenting things to Du Qi? After all, such fetishes taste sweet and juicy, which is quite good. As long as the emperor is happy, it is a great honor to the county lord. Especially the emperor, how can I not like it? It prolongs life. Even though Du Qi is still young, he still definitely likes it."

Liu Qiong's eyes lit up when he heard it.