After the furious Emperor Chongzhen roared in the East Warehouse for a while, the commander of the Jinyiwei, Luo Yangxing, asked for an urgent visit.

Chongzhen was summoned immediately.

Luo Yangxing entered the hall and saw the ground full of pens, ink, paper and inkstones. He couldn't help but be stunned. Then he knelt down and reported anxiously: "Your Majesty, it is found that there are rumors in the capital now, and there are rumors in the streets and alleys. I dare not hide them. I will report to the emperor."

A slight smile appeared on Chongzhen's face: "But Li Xiao is so ill-doing and is secretly dissatisfied with me?"

Luo Yangxing was stunned and was shocked. Chongzhen had known about this before. He blinked and reported urgently: "That's true. Now, almost everyone in the capital is spreading. The Donghai Marquis Li Xiao looked down on the court and despised the emperor. He did not regard state affairs as the priority but neglected the war. He went to Hyoghen Island for personal gain. Moreover, there were many rumors about the restaurants and food offices, saying that Li Xiao relied on his great achievements and thought that the title of marquis given by the emperor was too small, so he secretly felt resentful and angry with the emperor. This statement was even more complete."

Luo Yangxing finished speaking in a low voice, and there was no movement on the dragon throne for a long time.

Luo Yangxing glanced secretly, but saw Chongzhen sank on the dragon throne, the gloomy emperor, reflected by the burning charcoal fire, with a strange expression on his face.

The emperor's heart was inexplicably bitter at this time.

what to do?

Do you really want to break up with Li Xiao and issue an edict to arrest him and throw him into prison?

Chongzhen could hardly resist his impulse and wanted to issue an edict immediately. But he was so angry that he finally forced himself to resist his impulse.

Chongzhen, who had been an emperor for more than ten years, knew that he should not act rashly for a general like Li Xiao who was highly powerful and had many soldiers and a wide range of generals.

He waved his hand and asked Luo Yangxing to retreat first.

Then, Chongzhen said to Cao Huachun, who was standing beside him in a weak tone: "I quickly ordered my decree to go to the Yangge tribe who was inspecting in Huguang, and returned to Beijing with Xiong Shangshu of the Ministry of War. I have extremely urgent matters and I want to ask them."

"Yes, the old slave obeys the order."

......

When Cao Huachun sent a small eunuch to Huguang for emergency call, Li Xiao stood alone in front of the carved window in the government office, staring at the snowflakes flying outside the window in a daze.

Although she was wearing a thick fox fur, Li Xiao felt very cold, as if he had become completely cold from the inside out.

"What should be come, we always have to come."

Li Xiao's murmuring was soon torn to pieces by the cold wind blowing from the window.

Li Xiao unconsciously recalled the scene when Cao Huachun came to Dengzhou to announce the imperial edict a few days ago.

When he knelt down and listened to the order, he heard that Chongzhen would eventually send officials to seize the Taiwan Island he had obtained through hard and bloody battles, Li Xiao knew that it was finally here when he showed up with the Ming court.

Li Xiao has always deliberately avoided conflicts with the Ming court. He always hoped that the time for the two sides to truly face-to-face conflicts would come as late as possible. But Li Xiao finally discovered that his beautiful wish could only be shattered in the face of reality.

What should come will come sooner or later. On the arrival of this showdown, Li Xiao discovered that in a sense, it would not be transferred by personal will at all.

The court is extremely jealous of growing stronger and stronger. Now, in addition to firmly holding Taiwan Island and not allowing the court to get involved, he has sent troops to the court without reporting it to the court. There are two crimes of rebellion ahead. Li Xiaozong's great contributions will only show his ambitions more, and will also make the court more suspicious and doubtful about him.

However, it is impossible for Li Xiao to accept that he would give up the Taiwan Island that he had obtained a bloody battle and worked hard to manage.

So, when Cao Huachun read out the imperial edict to him and asked Li Xiao to withdraw his self-sented officials from Taiwan Island, Li Xiao refused him without hesitation.

So far, more than three million people have immigrated to Taiwan Island, such as sugar making, tea growing, salt producing, rice, potatoes, and other industries are becoming increasingly prosperous, and trade and transactions are even more prosperous. It can be said that Taiwan Island, the original exogenous land, has become the most important and valuable land in Li Xiao's army with the painstaking management of Li Xiao, and is the important population and grain base for Li Xiao to develop and grow in the future. Now, the court wants to make Li Xiao give away such a piece of fertile land with just one order. How is it possible!

Although Li Xiaosi thought about it, he still gave Cao Huachun 100 taels of Cheng Yi to him as hard money, and sent him back. But he still read deep resentment and dissatisfaction from the old eunuch's eyes. Li Xiao could imagine how this eunuch, the Silijian, would say bad things in front of the emperor after returning to the capital.

What's more, the security departments in various places are constantly sending letters, saying that there are rumors in almost all parts of the country that in addition to sending troops without permission despite the imperial orders, Li Xiao was even more dissatisfied with the title of marquis. It is natural that he said that he would become a Duke based on his great contribution.

Li Xiao believed that after Cao Huachun returned, he would definitely report this vicious rumor to the emperor with added fuel to the fire.

Hearing this rumor, Li Xiao couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Such rumors are truly heartbreaking words.

The most sinister and most powerful thing about this rumor is that because Li Xiao did act as an unjust person, Li Xiao is unable to prove his innocence now. Therefore, the more he interprets it now, the more he will become more suspicious of the court.

Li Xiao suddenly realized that he had only three roads in Chinese history that he had become a big shot.

The first is to follow Liu Yu's path. After making great contributions in the battles between the south and the north, he completely turned against the former Eastern Jin Dynasty and established himself on behalf of Jin. This is an unyielding path of traitors.

The second is to follow Cao Cao's path, take the emperor to command the princes, control the emperor, and become a powerful minister with great power in the court and the opposition.

The third article is to follow Zeng Guofan of the late Qing Dynasty. After conquering the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, he cut off his own wings to seek peace, thus dispelling the suspicion and doubts of the Qing court, and satisfying himself as a slave, thereby saving his life.

To be honest, these three paths are not the options he likes for Li Xiao now.

Li Xiao knew that if he wanted to follow the first two paths, the Ming Dynasty, which was already corruption, would definitely set off a bloody storm of attacks, and countless people would die tragically under the battle of civil war in the bloody battle with the court.

Such a result may eventually be, first, the bandits will be cheaper, allowing the bandits to become rampant from the current state of being suppressed by most of the people, and they will once again poison all parts of Zhongzhou. Second, the Qing Dynasty outside the pass will be cheaper, allowing the Qing Dynasty to sit in the mountains and watch the tiger fight, thus reaping the benefits of the fisherman. When Li Xiao and the court both suffered losses, they will enter the pass again to plunder and pick up a big advantage in the future.

However, if you don’t go the first two paths, it is absolutely impossible to ask Li Xiao to cut his own wings like Zeng Guofan and be a submissive slave who only wants to save his own life. After all, Li Xiao is ambitious now and is determined to revive the power of China and show his Chinese power again. For example, the bandits have not been eliminated and the Tartars have not yet been eradicated, so Li Xiao wants Li Xiao to give up his military power and get rid of his elite force when his career is in full swing. This is just to dispel the doubts of the Ming court, which Li Xiao will never accept.

So, are there any other roads to take for Li Xiao now?

Li Xiao believes that there should be some.

That is, when the current situation of offending the court, we must strive to maintain a state of fighting with the court without breaking it, at least before the bandits and the Tartars were eliminated, maintain a peaceful relationship with the Ming Dynasty. In order to minimize the disasters and losses caused by internal struggles, so that the suffering Chinese people will no longer suffer from this unintentional disaster.

Therefore, after sending Cao Huachun and his group away, Li Xiao, who had always been decisive, immediately started to prepare according to his well-thought-out plan.

Li Xiao ordered the existing Xingzhong Camp to expand its troops three times and establish Xingzhong Town.

Xingzhong Town has three battalions under its jurisdiction, each battalion has three posts, with a total of 135 shield soldiers, a total of 13770 gunmen, a total of 27540 gunmen, a total of 1800 Xuanhu heavy cavalry, a total of 1800 Feiyazi, a total of 1800 cavalry, a total of 1800 Manzhou cavalry, a total of 1800 rampant soldiers, a total of 3000 auxiliary soldiers, a 2000 musketeers, and a 500 artillery troops. The total force reaches 54,010.

The former battalion commander of Xingzhong Camp, Tian Wei, was promoted to the mayor of Xingzhong Town, and the former deputy battalion commander Liu Guoneng, was promoted to the deputy mayor of Xingzhong Town.

In addition, the former chief of Xuanhu heavy cavalry, E Bilun, was promoted to the commander of the Manzhou cavalry, and the former chief of the rampant whistle Chata, was promoted to the commander of the rampant whistle.

This is the principle of employing people. Li Xiao showed loyalty and ability, so he was reused. Because these generals only had training and combat power, the rest of the military education, military merit review, salary payment, etc. were all under the responsibility of the civil servants of the supervisors, and there were spies from the Security Department to secretly monitor the general's actions. Therefore, Li Xiao's plan to draw on the management model of the Gong army's army and his actual control over the army was worse than that of some modern armies, not to mention that they were compared with ancient armies such as the Ming army and the Qing army.

As for Li Xiao's other troops, symbolizing Xiying, Zhendongying, Pingnanying, and Dingbeiying, they will remain the same for the time being and will be expanded after further manpower and materials are further enriched in the future.

Li Xiao’s expansion of the army was mainly based on two considerations.

First, in order to deal with the conflict with the Ming court, there was enough force to deal with it. Second, Li Xiao was also worried that the Qing army would most likely enter the pass again in the twelve years of Chongzhen. If the Qing army follows the original historical direction, the Qing army would mainly attack Shandong, so Li Xiao must hurry up and make preparations.

While Li Xiao was preparing to build the expansion of the army and Xingzhong Town, Yang Sichang, the Grand Secretary of the Dongge and Minister of Rites, and Xiong Wencan, the Minister of War, finally rushed back to the capital, and then rushed into the palace to meet the emperor.

"My minister, Yang Sichang, Minister of Rites, bow to the emperor."

"My minister, Xiong Wencan, the Minister of War, kowtow to the Emperor."

"Two loved ones are flat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Looking at the two important officials standing in front of him, all with dusty faces, Emperor Chongzhen felt mixed feelings. He sighed lightly and said to the two of them: "You two families, you should know that I have summoned you into the capital, but what is the matter?"

Yang Sichang frowned and said nothing.

Xiong Wencan, who was standing beside him, secretly glanced at Yang Sichang, and then replied timidly: "Your Majesty, is it for the affairs of Li Xiao, the Marquis of Donghai?"

"Yes," Chongzhen sighed and said, "Now, the rumors in the capital are becoming more and more eye-catching. He said that Li Xiao expanded his army and wanted to raise an army and cause chaos to plan for my country."

After hearing Chongzhen's words, Yang Sichang smiled bitterly and said, "Master, how can Your Majesty believe such unreasonable rumors?"

"I believe it, I believe it, how can I not believe it?" Chongzhen suddenly became angry: "Li Xiao, without reporting to the court, sent to Hyoghen Island without reporting it. In his heart, the court had taken half of his face seriously! Then, this man flatly rejected my order and refused to let me arrange officials to go to Taiwan, but took the Taiwan Island, which was already a territory of the Ming Dynasty, as a private ownership. Now, I have received a secret report from the Jinyiwei, saying that Li Xiao expanded his army in Shandong, and his original Xingzhong camp troops were changed to Xingzhong Town, and his military strength had increased by three times! These things are not the shape of counter-revolutionary, nor are they a sign of rebellion! Could it be that Li Xiao must wait until he formally raises up his troops and causes chaos on the same day, and only then can I say that he is a legitimate thief?!"

After hearing the emperor's extremely angry words, Xiong Wencan lowered his head and shrank his head, while Yang Sichang frowned and sighed in his heart.

"How should you deal with Li Xiao according to Your Majesty's opinion?" Yang Sichang responded in a low voice.

"Hmph, according to my opinion, Li Xiao, who is so rebellious and unruly, needs to be arrested and punished immediately in the Ministry of Justice, and be severely punished!" Chongzhen gritted his teeth and snorted from his nose.

"Your Majesty, I am afraid that your Majesty's actions will only force Li Xiao, who is holding heavy troops, to immediately raise an army to rebel against the court." Yang Sichang said with a wry smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty, Li Xiao is a national city, a good general in the country, and has strong troops and horses. Your Majesty must not act impulsively." Xiong Wencan added in a low voice.

Chongzhen glanced at the two men who stood with their heads down, and felt even more angry. He shouted angrily: "In your opinion, can this Li Xiao do whatever he wants, but I can't do anything to him?"

Yang Sichang knelt down with a pounce, and then bowed and reported, "Master, the situation of the country's bandit suppression has just improved, but how can it be at this critical moment? If you have a falling out with Li Xiao like the generals of the city, wouldn't it be that those bandits who are on the verge of being destroyed have the opportunity to rekindle their lives? This is simply a matter of pain to the relatives and happiness to the enemy."

Yang Sichang sighed lightly and continued, "The Emperor said that Li Xiao is very ill-behaved, but in my opinion, Li Xiao made great efforts in the plan to suppress bandits in all corners and ten corners. From the beginning of last year to now, he has dispatched troops to station in Huguang, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Datong and other places to assist the local government troops in suppressing bandits and recruiting unsurvived refugees. No incident of harassing and plundering local people has happened. It can be called a model of our Ming Dynasty official army. How could Your Majesty, a country like Gancheng, who serves for the country, begs Li Xiao for a moment of rumors? In my opinion, even if he has any misconduct, he is afraid that he will have many difficulties. How could Your Majesty re-criminal without further investigation?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, if the ruler and ministers in the Ming Dynasty were in harmony and internal struggles were endless, the Qing throne outside the pass would probably wake up laughing in his dreams. If it was true that the court and Li Xiao were both defeated, and the Qing people took the opportunity to enter the pass and plunder, how would my Ming Dynasty stop it?" Xiong Wencan said with a worried look on the side.

"You... OK, okay, maybe you guys have already connected with Li Xiao and will persuade me!"

Seeing that Yang Sichang and Xiong Wencan both spoke for Li Xiao like this, Chongzhen laughed in anger and his tone was very sharp. He roared and continued, "Li Xiao was so arrogant and unscrupulous, and refused to arrange for officials to govern Taiwan, and was determined to monopolize Taiwan for personal gain. This is a very anti-rebellious manifestation. Yang Gemen, how difficult does he have to do with his worries? Could it be that in your opinion, Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming had the same rebellion that day, he had too much trouble?"

The emperor said this very seriously. Yang Sichang was shocked. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, my loyalty to the Ming Dynasty is clear! Moreover, I have always been in official business and have no personal relationships. Where does this matter of conspiracy with Li Xiao start? I only hope that when the state is in a difficult and critical situation, the emperor must first distinguish the priorities. How can he fight with his own generals in an internal battle with his own generals before they are destroyed, and both sides will eventually be in trouble! Take another step back, even if Li Xiao is really rebellious, Your Majesty must not easily incite his mutiny and let him fight with the court. Your Majesty, every word I say is heart-wrenching. I hope Your Majesty will carefully observe it!"

Xiong Wencan, who was beside him, also knelt down: "Your Majesty, I also approve the words of Yanggemen. My Ming Dynasty is now in troubles internally and externally, how can I withstand such internal fighting and attacks again? I also ask Your Majesty to think carefully and make decisions again."
Chapter completed!