Chapter 93 Arrangement
After Li Jiancheng returned home, he changed his clothes. Only then did he feel relaxed. Xiao Chanyan reached out and touched his shoulders and said, "You are sweating all over. Did your performance before the Emperor go smoothly?"

"Fortunately, I finally got what I wanted. His Majesty appointed me as the governor of Zhuo County and concurrently the commander."

Xiao Chanyan frowned slightly: "Zhuo County is not a good place now, my husband might as well wait a little longer. If it is really urgent, I can also go to the palace to ask my aunt."

"It doesn't matter, I have my own plan."

Hearing this, Xiao Chanyan stopped trying to persuade him, but just gently helped him change his clothes. She would do everything within her ability herself to take care of her father and respect her parents-in-law.

After the couple talked for a while, Li Jiancheng went to talk to his parents. Dou Shi also did not quite agree with him going to Zhuo County, but as the son was grown up and no longer under the control of his mother, Dou Shi could do nothing about it.

Li Yuan asked: "Why?"

"Of course, it is to repay your majesty's kindness and contribute to the conquest of Goguryeo."

As the saying goes, secrecy leads to success, while disclosure leads to failure. Until that point comes, no one will expect to hear any outrageous words from him.

Although the emperor now levied too heavy labor service and enjoyed pleasure and building palaces, his achievements are obvious to all. In just four years, he showed favor to the south, strengthened his power in the north, conquered the Western Regions, built the Grand Canal, established the Eastern Capital, changed the official system, and amended the laws. It can be said that he had made contributions.

Even if he is willing to slow down now, he may really have the hope of becoming the greatest emperor of all time. Therefore, anyone who shows ambition at this time is seeking death.

Li Jiancheng naturally would not take this risk, and Li Yuan had more than one son.

After the official decree came down, Li Jiancheng prepared to leave Beijing to take up his post. Because of the emperor's special care, Xiao Chanyan was also able to accompany him.

However, there were still some matters that needed to be arranged in advance before leaving Beijing. When Yang Su was still alive, Yang Xuangan was appointed as the governor of Yingzhou. Seeing that he was young, local officials tried to collude to deceive and undermine him. This shows how rampant they were.

The people of Zhuo County were tough and the local forces were even more so. The previous governor was demoted because the officials below were dissatisfied and made excuses, resulting in the failure to complete the task on time.

Li Jiancheng did not have time to test the waters with them. After all, he did not have much time to manage the place slowly. Therefore, he went straight to Dou Kang's mansion. After all, he had been the governor of Youzhou for seven or eight years, and he believed that there were still some trustworthy subordinates in Zhuo County.

The two families were originally close relatives. When Dou Kang was involved in the rebellion of King Han, it was Li Jiancheng who helped him escape from the crisis. Now the two families have become relatives by marriage, and Dou Dan married Li Jiancheng's second sister.

Dou Kang heard the purpose of the visit and did not shirk responsibility. He immediately wrote several letters: "Jiancheng, these families are quite famous in Zhuo County, and many of their children have served as officials in several local counties. The Zhang family and the She family have had a lot of exchanges with me, and they have not stopped in the past two years.

Although the other families still pay tribute during festivals, they are quite distant. You can try to win them over and employ them, but don't trust them easily, as people's hearts are fickle."

The reason why Dou Kang dared to respond to the King of Han was naturally because he had complete control over Youzhou. Although he said that people should not be trusted, he was obviously confident.

Back then, he took all the responsibility of raising an army. Not only did the clan leaders of those families owe him a favor, but he also had leverage over them. If they didn't do what he wanted, they would have to wait for their entire clan to dig canals.

Li Jiancheng thanked him, and Dou Kang sent a few letters to Zhuo County first: "In addition, there are a few cavalry generals of my old acquaintances in the Zhuo County government army. I will send letters to them later."

After dismissing the servants, Dou Kang whispered, "There's no need for us to lie. Jiancheng, have you noticed anything?"

Li Jiancheng was surprised when he heard this, "What did you notice?" Dou Kang licked his lips and said, "Although I am now an insignificant official, I was the governor of Liangzhou, Qizhou, and Youzhou in the past 20 years, and I still have many old friends. The emperor is so eager for quick success and instant benefits now, and the local people can't bear it at all. There are already signs of chaos."

"Then lead the army to suppress it. The King of Han could not escape defeat even with an army of 300,000. What can a bunch of rioters do?"

Dou Kang carefully observed Li Jiancheng's expression and said, "They can't accomplish anything, but once the country is in turmoil, the Yang family's rule will be unstable, and the dynasty will change at any moment."

Li Jiancheng stood up and was about to leave: "Uncle, I dare not listen to this anymore, and I advise you not to say it again. If someone spreads it to the ears of His Majesty, it will be a big deal."

Dou Kang held Li Jiancheng and said, "What are you afraid of? We are the only two of us here. Our two families will prosper together and suffer together."

"It would be fine if the emperor killed He Ruobi, but who is Gao Zuo? He was a great contributor to the country of the Sui Dynasty, and the previous emperor didn't kill him. If the emperor does this, the whole world will pity him, and his reputation will be greatly reduced. In the future..."

Li Jiancheng couldn't fight him either, so he could only beg for mercy: "Uncle, I really can't say this anymore."

Dou Kang let go of his hand in disappointment: "You are useless. If I were you, I would have to fight you. If you succeed, I will become your ancestor. If you fail, we won't dare to die together."

Li Jiancheng escaped from Dou Mansion. He really couldn't figure out what was wrong with this old guy. His mother was a princess of the Sui Dynasty, and the previous emperor had never treated him badly. Why did he like to rebel against the Sui Dynasty so much?

He shook his head and went back to Yu Shiji's mansion. As the governor of Zhuo County, he had under his command the chief secretary, the secretary, the assistant secretary, the chief clerk, the clerks of various departments, the mayor and other officials. Under the commander, there was also a deputy commander of the fifth rank.

With Dou Kang's connections, it would be best if he could promote or demote them at will. This way, Zhuo County would be completely under his control, and he wouldn't have to waste his energy on intrigues with them.

The two most favored people in the court by the emperor at present are Yuwen Shu and Yu Shiji. They are extremely powerful, and they are both extremely greedy. One likes to adopt a rich businessman as his son, and the other sells official positions and titles because he is afraid of his wife. Things that can be solved with money are naturally better than using favors.

There had been a young man in gorgeous clothes waiting in front of the Yu Mansion. He was walking around with his hands behind his back, looking very anxious. When he saw Li Jiancheng arriving, he hurried forward to salute, looking very admiring.

This man was Yu Shiji's son, but not his biological son. He was given to him when he married his wife. His name was Xiahou Yan.

Xiahou Yan was quite excited: "I have heard of your great name for a long time, and I have wanted to meet you for a long time, but because I have little talent and virtue, I dare not ask for an audience rashly."

"Brother Xiahou, you are too modest. Jiancheng has always made friends based on first impression. When I saw you, I felt that we had met too late. I only regret that I have to go to my new post soon and cannot get drunk with you. What a pity!"

Xiahou Yan was so excited that his blood boiled: "To hear your words, I would be willing to die immediately."

Li Jiancheng was quite surprised. This guy didn't seem to be being polite, so he quickly said, "Hey, why is it so?"

Xiahou Yan was obviously upset, but it was not a good idea to talk about it here, so he held it in and said, "I'm sorry to make you laugh, please come into the mansion first."

.........

(End of this chapter)