Northern Dynasties Imperial Industry

When Li Tai returned to Luochuan Fang, most of the chaotic and huge felt tent shacks outside Fangcheng were gone, replaced by some well-planned campsites.

These camps were delimited by bamboo and wooden fences, each occupying a square area, and guarded the perimeter of the city like a vegetable patch. The number of households inside ranges from hundreds to dozens, each living in their own separate quarters. They appear orderly, no longer as chaotic as when Li Tai returned before.

"I haven't seen you for a few months, but a mere Fangcheng is actually more lively and prosperous than our state!"

Li Mu, who was returning to Beijing with Li Tai and passed by here, couldn't help but hum after seeing the appearance inside and outside the Fangcheng. He couldn't believe what he saw.

Li Tai just smiled after hearing this, and he was quite proud of Pei Hong and other members of the Yuandu Water Department for their contribution to governing the people. Without these subordinates to do the work for them, the situation here would probably not be reversed in a short time. .

Li Mu himself had no intention of staying in Dongxia Prefecture for a long time, and he lacked the prestige and channels to recruit Shiliu. He had no one under his command. Although he held a high position, it was difficult to fully utilize his authority. His control and development of the governance office was not as good as that of Li Tai. Of course.

When the order from the Taifu arrived in Beizhou, it was already the first ten days of the twelfth lunar month. Li Tai originally thought that he had just come back and had no intention of going back again, but he didn't expect that he was still on the list, and it was specifically noted that he would attend the Yuan Yue Great Court Meeting.

This news was both good and bad for Li Tai. The good thing was that since he was specifically asked to attend the imperial meeting, it was obviously not because the emperor missed him, but most likely because he wanted to be rewarded with official titles. Although Li Tai is more concerned about whether the actual authority can be significantly improved, he does not reject it even if it is just a nominal improvement, at least it is impressive enough to say it.

The bad side was naturally his own doing. Not to mention that the eldest son's family that he had offended before had many disciples and former officials who were distributed among the Liufang Forbidden Army. Just before he went to Chang'an, he also offended a number of the princes of the dynasty. So this trip to Chang'an is also a very exciting thing for him, no less than Yu Wentai's mood.

Moreover, he still has a lot of things to do at the moment, such as the personnel arrangements for the establishment of the first defense, the relocation of the Liu family in Diaoyin, etc. Although his subordinates can also do it for him, in the end, it is most practical to look after it himself, so he is not very willing to leave. At this time, I was busy working on my career. Even if I was asked to go back and make concessions, looking at this attitude, it would not be possible for me to give in!

But Li Mu's mood was completely different from his. He had been very excited after the previous battle. When the order arrived, he couldn't wait for a while. Even when he rushed to Blackwater Fangcheng, he urged Li Tai to set off quickly.

When passing through Luochuan Fangcheng, he saw that household registration was very effective in governing the people. Li Taizheng planned to stop and enter the city to explain some details, but Li Mu couldn't wait, and waved his hands repeatedly to express that he could bear the hardship of the wind and snow during the journey. There is no need to go into town to rest.

Li Tai was helpless about this and could only call Pei Hong and others out. After explaining some measures along the way, he ordered them to return to the city to implement them quickly. He would return for inspection after the New Year.

Although Li Mu was eager to return home, a blizzard along the way delayed his trip for another two days. When they arrived at Shibao Defense in the lower reaches of Luoshui River, it was already the middle of the twelfth lunar month. If they rushed towards Bafu in Huazhou, It is bound to miss the ceremony at Daxingtai, so we can only enter Beijing from Weibei via Baishui.

Li Tai mobilized more than 300 elite soldiers from Shibaofang to follow him to the capital. At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh that after the completion of the three defenses, he gradually felt like a fish in water in Kansai. As expected, only by having soldiers and guns can he not panic. .

Regardless of whether he will develop his power based on Chang'an in the future, the construction of the manor on Longshou Plain must be accelerated, otherwise this area will be wasted!

Li Mu didn't have as many messy thoughts as Li Tai, but as the trip got closer to Chang'an, he became more and more anxious. He scolded the accompanying servants from time to time, and asked Li Tai some weird questions, such as pointing at his body. The brand-new leather cloak asked: "How does Boshan see my outfit? Can I use this to scare the people on the day I enter the capital?"

If Li Tai remembered correctly, this was the third cloak he had changed into in one day, and judging from the size of his luggage, if it contained all this kind of fur, there would be at least a dozen more that he had never seen before. I felt a little overwhelmed for a while. Why didn't Li Mu feel so boring before? Li Ya's occasionally cunning and weird thinking can be traced back to the source!

He was indeed a little strange. It was not the first time for Li Mu to be rewarded for meritorious service. In the previous Battle of Heqiao, he almost single-handedly saved the boss's life. Isn't it more important than this time? Why are you still so uncalm?

Li Tai estimated that after the big one was used in the Battle of Heqiao, this guy's threshold was raised so high that the stimulation brought by ordinary trivial things was not enough to make him feel excited easily. This time, In addition to the melancholy background, it may also be that he has been hungry for too long and misses the highlight moments of his life.

The group of people crossed the river from the pontoon bridge in Weibei to the south. Li Tai wanted to return to Longshou Yuanzhuang and stay one night before entering the city tomorrow morning to meet Daxingtai who had arrived in Chang'an.

Li Mu, who was eager to enter the capital, held him back. There were many hints in his words that when he passed by the river bridge just now, the defenders' interrogation was meticulous and their attitude was very different from usual. They also sent people to inform other places. It was not like receiving a general visit to the capital. The appearance of the people and horses may indicate that the Rite Secretary in the capital has some special arrangements for the soldiers returning from victory. It would be disrespectful to miss them if they pass through the city without entering.

Li Tai wished that others would not know that he had arrived in Chang'an, and he did not expect a grand welcome ceremony. However, due to Li Mu's insistence, he could only go with him towards Chang'an City.

In large cities such as Chang'an, people come and go frequently, so there are often pavilions and buildings near the main roads outside the city for welcoming and sending people off.

Today, the pavilions on both sides of the east road of Chang'an City are also very busy, and some people even set up their own tents for use. After all, Chang'an is the capital of the country, and with the New Year approaching, there are always people coming to Beijing for various reasons.

When there was still some distance to go, Li Mu sent his servants to go ahead and check, probably to find the reception team arranged by the imperial ceremonial director. However, when the servants returned and saw nothing, Li Mu was shocked. Feeling disappointed.

He still refused to be selfish and walked slowly in this area. Suddenly, several wealthy slaves in bright clothes walked out to the left. They crossed their hands from a distance and asked loudly: "I dare to ask, is it Li Shijun who returned from Beizhou after winning the battle against Hu?" ?”

Although Li Mu saw that these people were not dressed like government officials, it was still better than being ignored, so he nodded slightly and said, "Yes, I am Li Shijun."

Several slaves were overjoyed when they heard this and said that their master had arranged for them to wait here, leaving two people to guide them while the rest quickly returned to report the news. Li Tai saw that these people looked familiar. He was about to ask the servants of the He family, but seeing that Li Mu had already turned his horse to follow them, he had no choice but to follow them up.

"Boshan, I finally see you, I've been waiting here for a long time!"

Soon after, several Hao slaves who reported the news came back. Following them were Yuwen Hu and Yu Chigang. Yuwen Hu waved to Li Tai from a distance, and then he noticed the expression on Li Tai who was walking in the front. Li Mu, who was slightly embarrassed, clasped his fists in salute and said: "It turns out that Mr. Wu An is also traveling with Boshan and is going to Beijing together today. It just so happens that I am hosting a banquet in my residence to express my condolences to those who have returned from a long journey. Why don't you come with me, Mr. Wu An?"

Li Mu, who had been looking forward to the ceremony to welcome the heroes, was gone. When he heard that even if he wanted to have a hot meal after entering the capital, he had to treat Li Tai, his mood suddenly became even more unpleasant. He shook the riding crop in his hand slightly and still maintained With a solemn expression he said: "How dare you say that you are tired because of your duties. Now that you have returned to the capital, you should immediately go to the Lord to report the farewell matter. I really don't dare to accept the kind invitation of Duke Chuchi. Boshan, you Say what?"

What did I say? You listened to what I said!

After hearing this, Li Tai suddenly cursed, "You guys should have listened to me a long time ago. We have already had hot soup and rice in my manor. As for being hot on the face and cold on the bottom here?" Now my brother Sabao invites me to a banquet, and you are still making excuses to prevent me from going!

Although he felt very unhappy, he could only smile apologetically at Yu Wenhu and said, "What Mr. Wu An said is reasonable. I can only thank Brother Sa Bao for his enthusiasm in coming to welcome me from afar after meeting the Lord."

At this time, Yu Chigang, who had been silent until now, took a step forward under Yu Wenhu's eyes, gave Li Tai a heavy fist, and said in a deep voice: "Da Xingtai entered the palace today, and we will have a banquet with His Majesty the Emperor on the returning meritorious servicemen. If Li Lang refuses to accept the invitation because he cares about the story, I would like to apologize to you today. I hope you can put aside the past grudges and make a solemn apology with wine and food after we return to Brother Sabao's residence!"

After hearing Yuchigang's words, Li Tai and Li Mu's expressions changed slightly, but their focus was different. Li Taizheng was suspicious of Yu Chigang's apology for his previous arrogance. According to what he saw, this guy was by no means a good character who would correct his mistakes and be polite.

Li Mu was a little surprised and exclaimed: "What kind of person who has made great achievements in the capital must be given a banquet and received by His Majesty the Lord and the Lord together?"

These words are a little surprising, but of course they are also full of taste. Don't I deserve credit for what I did in Beizhou? What kind of merit can make the imperial court treat one another so favorably?

"The former sent Huangmen Shilang Shen Hui as the Hexi ambassador to visit Guazhou. With the cooperation of the big families in that area, he captured the Guazhou traitor Deng Yan in one fell swoop without using the country's military resources. The government and the public were very happy because of this... "

Yu Wenhu could sense Li Mu's thoughts and explained after hearing the words.

"This is happening!"

Li Mu was shocked again after hearing this, while Li Tai's eyes lit up, knowing that this incident marked the beginning of a series of order adjustments in Longyou and Hexi, and that the power of his father-in-law Duguxin would also reach a new height. , although he can't do it personally, he can still use this to show off his power!

During this period of time, the human resources and power that Dugu Xin controlled were really considerable. At least Weng and his son-in-law would not continue to hide their engagement from each other out of fear.