Section 40 Chapter 11 Layout (4)

  Yang Biao suddenly realized: "It turns out to be the Duke, please ask the Duke to inform the Emperor that I have already started to handle the 'handover' matter, and let the Emperor rest assured!"

  Li Chen responded with a sound, then said: "I came today because I have something to 'hand over', I don't know if it's convenient to talk here?"

  Yang Biao saw Li Chen's solemn expression and naturally knew it was a big deal, so he hastily said: "Follow me!" After finishing speaking, he led Li Chen to the corner of the study wall, lifted up a landscape painting, and inside was actually a secret door. Yang Biao pushed open the door and pulled Li Chen in, then closed the door again and said to Li Chen: "It's definitely safe to talk here, just tell me what's going on!"

  Two men sat down on a chair, Li Chen said in a low voice: "General Ta, the Emperor asked me to tell you that there is a pair of street performers brother and sister in Dongshi, their martial arts are extremely high, the Emperor hopes that General can win them over for our use!"

  Yang Biao was taken aback, how did the emperor know about the East City affair? It seems that the emperor's eyes and ears are still quite numerous. Thinking to himself, he couldn't help but add a few more points of confidence in Liu Xie, and hastily said: "This small matter please rest assured, Your Majesty!"

  Li Chen said, "If the emperor's intention is that these siblings can be used by us, let them secretly recruit refugees near Xuchang and train an army. The closer to Xuchang, the better, but they must not reveal themselves!"

  Yang Biao did not understand Liu Xie's meaning, having an army near Xuchang could occupy Xuchang at any time, which would be very beneficial for launching a coup, but there was one word, money, the army needed military pay and equipment, where did the money come from?

  Li Chen seemed to have seen through Yang Biao's concerns and hastily said: "As for the money and grain, the emperor has made a suggestion. If we can recruit refugees, we can 'spend' some money to buy seeds, find a piece of land, and let them cultivate it themselves. We only need to pay for the first few months' worth of food, and afterwards they can be self-sufficient. This way, not only can we hide our tracks, but we can also save on expenses. The emperor's ultimate goal is that in peacetime, they will appear to be a group of farmers, but with just one call, they will become an army. Of course, these things cannot be accomplished overnight, so the emperor will slowly come up with a plan for military preparations!"

  Yang Biao nodded, Liu Xie's ideas were not bad, and they also needed time. It couldn't be done in a year or two: "Please convey to the Emperor that these things will definitely be handled by me."

  Li Chen said, "Also, in Kong Rong's mansion, there is a person named Xi Zhen. He is upright and unyielding, with exceptional literary talent, but his temper is somewhat arrogant. He likes to humiliate the powerful, yet the Emperor still holds him in high regard. I hope that General Taoyi can take this person into his household. If he asks about it, just tell him that Xiaolong recommended him. It shouldn't be too difficult for you, sir!" Li Chen suddenly smiled and said, "However, I must remind you, sir, not to make plans with Xi Zhen. This man is extremely arrogant, so please keep a level head!"