Chapter 116 The Envoy Disobeyed Military Orders

After receiving Li Xuan's instructions, Liu Dan checked all the records of the iron mine overnight.

The next morning, Liu Shan reported to Li Xuan: "General Li, the matter you confessed has been investigated."

"speak!"

Li Xuan did not sleep well that night because of this incident.

"The iron mine is called Qiushan Iron Mine. It is a high-quality iron mine. Because it is close to the river, the iron mine is located next to the iron smelting workshop. This is a government-run iron mine. Before the 27th year of Kaiyuan, Qiushan Iron Mine produced 20,000 kilograms of iron per year. However, since the 28th year of Kaiyuan, the annual iron production of Qiushan Iron Mine has been recorded to be less than 5,000 kilograms, and last year it was only 2,000 kilograms."

Liu Dan wrote down the information he found and replied to Li Xuan.

"Hundreds of laborers can't even make ten kilograms of iron a day?"

Li Xuan was so angry that he laughed.

Iron was mainly used for agricultural implements, tools, weapons, and armor, followed by other uses such as construction and lacquerware.

There are now more than a hundred iron mines in the Tang Dynasty, and the annual iron output is 2 million kilograms according to official statistics alone.

The Tang Dynasty learned from the lesson of the Sui Dynasty's state-run enterprises and allowed private ownership, imposing a 20% iron tax on private iron mines.

Even so, the Tang Dynasty's supervision of iron was extremely strict.

Private iron mines must also be clearly reported to the court. If a large amount of iron is privately stored without reporting to the court, it will be treated as treason.

“There is no record of a decrease in the number of laborers at Qiushan Iron Mine.”

Liu Dan told Li Xuan this again.

Anyone can see that there is something fishy going on here.

"Who is the general of Qiushan Iron Mine? What is his relationship with the military supervisor?" Li Xuan asked Liu Dan again.

"Reporting to General Li, the general of Qiushan Iron Mine is named Guo Dahu, and he is said to be the nephew of the military supervisor family."

Liu Dan learned this news from an old official in the shogunate.

"I need a lot of iron to forge Mo Dao and armor. I am still trying to find a way to apply for iron from the court."

Song Che, a military officer in the Army, repeatedly reminded that in order to achieve the goal, good iron was not enough.

Now so much good iron from Qiushan Iron Mine has disappeared. Not to mention finding the lost iron, even if he follows the production in the 27th year of Kaiyuan, his Mo Dao and Iron Armor can be completed on time.

"What should the general do?" Liu Shan asked Li Xuan for his advice.

"Go to Qiushan Iron Mine immediately. The saints can tolerate Guo Quan's corruption and bribery, but will never tolerate him devouring the country's iron. As long as I have solid evidence, he will be dead!"

Li Xuan is preparing to go to Qiushan Iron Mine.

"He will definitely impeach the general first."

Liu Dan knew that some eunuchs were arrogant. They thought the saint was their backer and looked down on everyone.

"How can I, a man of great stature, become so soft as to bend like a finger? How can I, a man of great stature, reach such a state?"

Li Xuan also wants to impeach Guo Quan!
If he endured this kind of thing, he wouldn't have to think about attacking Tubo, and Guo Quan would definitely bully him in the future.

As long as Guo Quan can be killed, the next military supervisor will definitely behave himself, which will also be good for him.

"In the past, the cruel official Lai Junchen killed many ministers, such as the general Zhang Qianxu and Fan Yunxian, who died tragically because they could not see the emperor. However, although Di Renjie was falsely accused and imprisoned, he was able to tear off his clothes, write a petition of injustice in his cotton-padded clothes and send it out of prison, thus surviving."

"What I mean is that even if we don't find the evidence, we can write a letter first and send it to Chang'an at an emergency speed of 600 miles to let the Saint know one day in advance. By the time Guo Quan arrives, he will be at a disadvantage."

Liu Dan reminded Li Xuan.

"Yes! That makes sense. I will write a letter myself and give it to Mr. Gao."

After hearing this, Li Xuan immediately started writing the letter.

Although Gao Lishi also accepted treasures from visitors, unlike other eunuchs, he was unambiguous on major issues.

Embezzling the imperial court's funds and not knowing what to do with them is already shaking the foundation of the country. Accusing Guo Quan of treason is a crime he deserves.

In the letter, Li Xuan also stated that the original plan to deal with Tubo was aborted because of Guo Quan's affairs, implying that Guo Quan was obstructing the border work.

Li Longji hated those who obstructed border construction the most.

After the letter was written, Li Xuan ordered Liu Dan to send it to Gao Lishi in his name using the express horse from the post station, rushing 600 miles.

Li Xuan was afraid that if he wrote a letter directly to the emperor, Li Linfu would intercept the letter in the Secretariat. This old villain was definitely capable of doing such a thing.

Liu Dan suggested that Li Xuan wait for two more days, until the letter had spread far away, before confronting Guo Quan.

Li Xuan agreed with Liu Dan's words and endured for two more days.

Because the secret reports from the military supervisors were faster than the memorials from the border generals.

The military supervisor and the commander-in-chief wrote to Chang'an at the same time, but the post station had to arrange for the military supervisor first. The express journey was also 600 miles, so the military supervisor's secret report must have been faster.

Therefore, Li Longji was already aware of many military secrets when the prime minister and other ministers were still in the dark.

For example, in the first year of Tianbao, Longyou Huangfu Weiming and Shuofang Wang Zhongsi successively reported great victories. Li Linfu and other ministers proposed to immediately announce it to the world so that the people could see the saint's civil and military achievements. However, Li Longji just smiled mysteriously and said: "It is not just Longyou that has won many victories. In a few days, Hexi will have a great victory."

This was certainly not because Li Longji had foreseen the future. Not only did he issue a secret decree to Wang Jue in advance to let Wang Jue take the military merit, but he also learned through the military supervisor that Wang Jue, the governor of Hexi, had defeated the Tubo Youyi and Yuhai armies, and that a memorial was on the way.

Therefore, in Li Longji's mind, the military inspector was his confidant and eyes, making him confident that the border army of the Tang Dynasty was in his hands.

Anyone who sues the military supervisor without sufficient reason will surely be suspected by Li Longji.

After two days, Li Xuan immediately summoned his personal guards and prepared to leave the government office again.

Sure enough, Guo Quan still brought a few minor eunuchs and imperial guards to block Li Xuan.

"General Guo, I am leaving the city to observe the training of the Lintao Army. Do I need to report to you?"

Li Xuan no longer used going to Qiushan Iron Mine as an excuse.

"Just to leave the city, do we need the bailiffs and officials to follow us?" Guo Quan obviously did not believe what Li Xuan said.

"Believe it or not! Let's go!"

Li Xuan pointed his whip forward and asked his personal guards to clear the way.

"Stop! You are not allowed to leave the city!"

Guo Quan shouted sternly.

"You are just a military supervisor, but you restrict the Jiedushi from leaving the city. What do you want to do?"

Li Xuan turned around and questioned Guo Quan.

He had never heard of such an absurd thing. If the military supervisor did not have Li Longji's staff in his possession, Li Xuan would at least have put Guo Quan under house arrest.

Before Li Longji's edict arrived, Li Xuan could not touch him, otherwise he would be bitten back and would not be able to explain himself even if he was right.

"You may leave the city only after I, the military supervisor, give you my permission!"

Guo Quan still looked arrogant. He put his hand on his waist and said.

He didn't believe that he couldn't cure Li Xuan.

"I am leaving Huangshui City today, what can you do to me?"

Li Xuan was disdainful.

He had already taken control of the Lintao Army, and promoted generals from Wang Nandai to Nan Jiyun and Zhang Xing. He even recommended generals who participated in the battle of Jishi Army, such as Xin Yunjing and Peng Ren, to be promoted to official positions.

He has the final say in Huangshui City, not this dead eunuch.

"Where is the imperial guard? Li Xuan, the deputy governor of Longyou, disobeyed military orders. Arrest him."

Guo Quan felt insulted and screamed at the top of his lungs.

The military inspector supervises the army and is protected by the Imperial Guards, so that he can act at his convenience.

However, there were not many Yulin Guards protecting the military supervisor, only a team of fifty people, and Guo Quan was only accompanied by a dozen Yulin Guards.

This made the Yulin Guards look at each other in bewilderment, not knowing whether they should go up or not.

Li Xuan's great reputation frightened the Yulin Guards. Moreover, it was ridiculous for the military supervisor to stop the Jiedushi from leaving the city.

"Why don't you come forward? Do you want to disobey my order?"

Military Supervisor Guo Quan shouted angrily.

He felt that Li Xuan went to Qiushan Iron Mine and the matters there had not been dealt with yet. Once Li Xuan caught him, he would be implicated.

Although Guo Quan is arrogant and domineering, he still has some sense of crisis in his heart.

A few years ago, Li Longji ordered his trusted eunuch Yang Sixu to deal with Niu Xiantong because he accepted bribes from the army. Yang Sixu tied Niu Xiantong to a pillar and left him in the sun for several days. When Niu Xiantong was about to die from the sun, Yang Sixu cut off Niu Xiantong's hands and feet, dug out his heart, and finally cut off his flesh piece by piece and ate it.

This incident had a great impact on the military supervisors, but the military supervisors were too arrogant in the local area and could not stop.

Coupled with the psychological distortion, they are still greedy as they should be.

But unlike before, they were not as reckless as before. Instead, they covered up their tracks and left no evidence.

Guo Quan was forced into a corner. In order to prevent Li Xuan from obtaining evidence, he was willing to keep Li Xuan in Huangshui City and even falsely accused Li Xuan of treason.

"Shh!"

When the Yulin Guards had no choice but to draw their swords and move forward, Li Xuan's personal guards drew out their swords.

Such a powerful aura intimidated the flashy Yulin Guards.

Guo Quan's already pale face became even paler with fright. He pointed at Li Xuan, trembling and unable to speak.

Li Xuan stretched out his hand, signaling the guards to put the sword back into the scabbard, and then waved his hand: "Let's go!"

Now Guo Quan didn't dare to stop it, nor did he have the ability to stop it.

"Rebellion! Li Xuan, you dare to meddle in other people's business. Just wait and see, I will make sure you die without a burial place!"

Guo Quan jumped up and shouted. He planned to strike first, so he sent Li Xuan to Chang'an at an express speed of seven hundred miles, claiming that Li Xuan was in rebellion.

As long as the saint authorizes and Li Xuan is killed here, his affairs will not be exposed.

When Li Xuan left Huangshui City, he notified the Xiping County Chief Shiguan Qing and ordered the county soldiers to maintain order in Huangshui City and not to obey any instructions from the military supervisor Guo Quan.

An hour later, Nan Jiyun led five hundred elite cavalrymen into Huangshui City for inspection.

……

Li Xuan led his personal guards, each with two horses, and arrived at Weirong Army three days later.

The Weirong Army was on the northern bank of the middle reaches of the Haoyi River (now the Datong River).

This city was originally a new city built by Tubo. In the 26th year of Kaiyuan, Du hoped to capture the new city and build the Weirong Army.

Initially there were 500 soldiers, and later the number increased to 1,000.

The Qiushan Iron Mine is located at the foot of the Great Snow Mountain, basically right next to Hexi.

Because of the large number of Tang Dynasty fortresses near Daxue Mountain and Guzang Mountain, the Tang army was able to mine Qiushan Iron Mine before it captured Xincheng. Qiushan Iron Mine was located between Wuwei County and Xiping County, and was under the jurisdiction of Xiping County.

When you arrive at the Weirong City area and cross the bridge over the Haoyi Water, you can enter the Weirong Military City.

This was a small military city, and its main task was not to fight against Tubo, but to conduct reconnaissance, patrol, and remotely control the garrisons and monitor the enemy in the direction of Qinghai Lake.

The Anren Army, a large army of 10,000 men in the south, was the main force against Tubo.

"This general greets General Li!"

When Chen Zhang, the envoy of the Weirong Army, learned that Li Xuan was coming, he immediately greeted him at the bridge.

"How is the Qiushan Iron Mine doing?"

Li Xuan asked Chen Zhang.

"Reporting to General Li, I have already withdrawn the soldiers from Qiushan Iron Mine!"

Chen Zhang was stunned and replied to Li Xuan.

"Who told you to withdraw your troops?"

Li Xuan's expression suddenly changed.

He remembered that he did not order Chen Zhang to withdraw the Weirong Army from Qiushan Iron Mine.

"Yes... the military supervisor has sent an order!"

Chen Zhang was a little scared, but he still said it.

"Can the military supervisor still mobilize the army? Have you forgotten what I said in the governor's office a month ago?"

Li Xuan was furious.

Is this still available?

How dare they disobey his military orders? He made it clear at the military meeting a month ago.

The generals trained the troops and were ready to receive military orders at any time.

It hasn't been long since then, but he has already turned a deaf ear to her words.

"Please forgive me, Li Shuai!"

Chen Zhang bowed quickly.

The military supervisor asked the Imperial Guards to deliver the order, and he had no choice but to obey!

"I'll ask you again, can the military supervisor mobilize the army? Is this power given by the saint or by you?"

Li Xuan questioned again.

"The military inspector has ordered the army to correct the enemy. I dare not disobey!"

Chen Zhang looked embarrassed.

Any general would probably do the same as him. The military supervisor cannot mobilize the army, but he can supervise the punishment in the army, and a word can hurt someone's life.

"Guo Quan ordered you to withdraw your troops. Couldn't you have just ridden quickly to report to me?"

"If you disobey military orders, you should be executed according to the law."

Li Xuan felt that Chen Zhang was unforgivable.

"Please forgive me, Marshal Li."

Seeing that Li Xuan was angry, Chen Zhang didn't dare to argue anymore and hoped that Li Xuan would forgive him this time because he was in trouble.

"First, I will dismiss you from your post as the commander of the Weirong Army. I will then punish you after I have found out whether the Qiushan Iron Mine is related to you."

Qiushan Iron Mine is some distance away from the Weirong Army, but not very far.

Although the iron mine defenders were not soldiers of the Weirong Army, it was possible that the Weirong Army was involved.

If Chen Zhang colludes with the defenders of Qiushan Iron Mine, Li Xuan will kill him.

Even if not, Chen Zhang would definitely be dismissed. Li Xuan could not tolerate Chen Zhang's behavior of disobeying orders.

"I beg you to show some mercy, Marshal Li. You also know the power of the military supervisor. I can do nothing about his orders!"

Chen Zhang asked Li Xuan for forgiveness again.

"You disobeyed my military orders. If I do not punish you, similar things will happen in other armies. The military regulations I set a month ago will be like waste paper."

Li Xuan will not show leniency outside the law.

Chen Zhang was dejected and was arrested by Li Xuan's personal guards and temporarily imprisoned in Weirong Military City.

The entire army was in awe, but no one dared to refute Li Xuan.

Immediately, Li Xuan asked the deputy envoy of the Weirong Army to select 500 soldiers to accompany him to Qiushan Iron Mine.

We traveled light and arrived at Qiushan Iron Mine before sunset.

"Iron mining area, no going forward!"

A hundred feet away from the Qiushan Iron Mine, Li Xuan and his party were stopped by several soldiers wearing leather armor.

"How dare you! General Li is here, why don't you get out of here!"

Luo Xing scolded.

"Meeting General Li!"

Several soldiers hurried to pay their respects.

Although they were not garrison troops, the Longyou Jiedushi controlled all the troops in Longyou.

Li Xuan ignored them and just stretched out his hand. The soldiers of the Weirong Army dispersed and surrounded all the nearby exits and the iron smelting workshop.

He led his personal guards and assistants into the ironworks.

When Guo Dahu, the guard in the iron smelting workshop, learned of Li Xuan's sudden arrival, his face changed drastically. Didn't his uncle send a message saying that Li Xuan would not come to Qiushan Iron Mine?
"I am your nephew Guo Dahu, who is the military supervisor. I wonder what has happened that made General Li come here in person."

Guo Dahu came to see Li Xuan with a smile on his face. He emphasized his identity and looked fearless.

He just manages this iron mine, and his uncle will support him no matter how he does it.

In the past, the military governors would not bother with him.

"Nephew of the military supervisor, can you not greet me when you see me?"

Li Xuan questioned Guo Dahu while riding on a horse.

"Greetings... Li Shuai!"

The smile on Guo Dahu's face suddenly stopped, and he saluted Li Xuan reluctantly.

"I want to ask you, why did the laborers at Qiushan Iron Mine 'rebel'?"

Only then did Li Xuan jump off the horse.

The assistants and the yamen guards also dismounted with Li Xuan. Xue Cuo led a group of personal guards to dismount and follow Li Xuan, while the other group, led by Luo Xing, remained on guard on horseback.

"They are all criminal slaves who refuse to repent and want to escape. I punished them a little, and they banded together, using mining and iron smelting tools to beat the officers and soldiers. I had no choice but to order the garrison to kill them all."

Guo Dahu said seemingly with reason and evidence.

"Let someone summon the remaining laborers, craftsmen, and smelters from the Qiushan Iron Mine."

Li Xuan gave the order.

"I didn't ask you to go..."

Seeing Guo Dahu turning around, Li Xuan shouted again.

Guo Dahu didn't dare to move. He winked at his men and asked them to call the laborers over.

Guo Dahu's men understood what he meant and went over immediately...

"Qiang!"

At this moment, Li Xuan drew out his sword and handed it to Xue Cuo: "Lead the people and follow me. If anyone dares to bluff me, I will chop off their heads with this sword!"

Guo Dahu's men trembled in fear. They stopped and looked at Guo Dahu.

"General Li, my uncle is the military supervisor of Longyou. He has been serving the Saint in the palace since he was ten years old..."

"I'm talking to you, not Guo Quan..." Li Xuan interrupted Guo Dahu and ordered Xue Cuo: "Take them over."

Under the coercion of Xue Cuo, several of Guo Dahu's men had to go and find all the laborers and craftsmen from Qiushan Iron Mine.

A quarter of an hour later, a group of shivering and ragged people appeared in front of Li Xuan.

Guo Dahu stared at them fiercely, which made them even more scared.

Li Xuan turned and whispered to Li Sheng.

Li Sheng was shocked, but still followed Li Xuan's words.

"Oh!"

While Guo Dahu was still not turning around, Li Sheng kicked Guo Dahu on the butt, knocking him to the ground.

"what……"

When Guo Dahu was confused, Li Sheng rode on him and punched him in the face left and right, and in a moment his face was bruised and swollen.

The soldiers of Qiushan Iron Mine could only watch from afar and dared not help.

Guo Dahu had only two hundred soldiers under his command. Not to mention the Weirong Army soldiers surrounding him, even Li Xuan's personal guards could subdue them in one round.

"Why did someone beat me... I will definitely tell my uncle."

After Li Sheng stopped and stood up, Guo Dahu was extremely angry. His bones felt like they were falling apart and his face hurt even when he spoke.

"This is a punishment for disrespecting me."

Li Xuan said in a cold voice.

His main purpose was to let these laborers and craftsmen see Guo Dahu, who usually managed them, being beaten like a dead dog.

To reduce their fear of Guo Dahu and make them tell the truth.

Seeing Li Xuan's sharp eyes, Guo Dahu didn't dare to look him in the eye and could only hate him secretly in his heart.

The laborers and craftsmen felt very happy when they saw the lawless Guo Dahu being beaten up.

At the same time, I was also curious about Li Xuan's identity, which could make Guo Dahu and the ruthless miners so afraid.

(End of this chapter)