Luoyang City finally returned to peace. It had been a month since Dugu Huaien was killed. Due to the surprise attacks of the Northern Sui army, the attention of the Tang Dynasty was diverted, and the pressure in Luoyang also eased. Although the Tang Dynasty still asked Wang Shichong to give a clear statement, it was no longer threatening to send troops like before. The Tang Dynasty, which was originally gathered in Tongguan and prepared to attack Hongnong County, was also transferred to Taiyuan.

Without military pressure, Wang Shichong no longer worried about Dugu Huaien's murder. A month later, he issued an order to lift the curfew that caused Luoyang people to continue to protest. The night in Luoyang City was restored again, and the murder of Tang Envoy was gradually forgotten by people.

That night, in a tavern called "Anranju" near Taipei City, Lu Ping met Xu Shanming, the head of the Ministry of War, who was still dressed the same as last time. He was wearing a half-old fine linen gown, a white-washed flat towel, a broken old black boot, and a leather belt that had been used for many years at his waist. However, the color of the dish on his face had faded and became a little plump.

Since he received the 300 gold given by Lu Ping, his life has improved greatly. His wife and mother no longer do laundry for others. The food at home has been replaced by wheat and no longer eaten bean cakes. He can see a little meat on the table every three or five days. As it was almost late autumn, the family started to buy winter clothes. However, Xu Shanming himself was still very cautious. He only dared to tell his wife the truth, and told his parents that he had found a good night job to copy books and make money for others.

Not only that, his own clothes remained unchanged at all, and he was still dressed in a very down-and-out manner, for fear that people would see that he was rich.

Xu Shanming wanted to resign and return to his hometown more than once, but they were stopped by Lu Ping. Lu Ping promised him that in the future, the Sui Dynasty would definitely recommend Xu Shanming as the Ministry of War, which stabilized Xu Shanming. Moreover, Xu Shanming took the initiative to join the Luoyang Intelligence Agency and officially became a secret subordinate of Lu Ping.

In the room, Lu Ping asked with concern: "How is it, hasn't happened to this big search?"

The Luoyang search lasted for ten days, and it was repeated over and over again. Lu Ping's two shops were searched five times and were also searched in the water, but no head-level wooden box was found hidden in the water. The severe situation forced Lu Ping to finally burn Dugu Huai'en's head completely.

Lu Ping was also worried about Xu Shanming. After all, Xu Shanming had hundreds of taels of gold in his hands. Once it was searched, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Xu Shanming quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your concern, General. I hid the gold in the wall. When the soldiers searched for the soldiers, they saw that my family was too poor and they were officials of the court, so they did not search carefully, but just rummaged through the boxes and cabinets and left."

"This is the best, I'm worried about what happens to you."

Lu Ping remembered something and smiled and took out a bronze medal and handed it to Xu Shanming, "This is your official waist card, and it was signed by Military Secretary Fang. Congratulations."

Xu Shanming took over the bronze medal with No. 69 engraved on it. He felt very moved. He finally became a member of the Northern Sui Dynasty. I really don’t know if he should be excited or panic, but he still didn’t understand what position he was.

Lu Ping saw the doubt in his eyes and smiled and said, "The Intelligence Bureau belongs to the military. Every intelligence scout will have corresponding positions in the military, and you are the same. However, you should be a civilian position. It has not been decided yet. I personally think that it should be a first-level professional. As long as you continue to make contributions, you will be promoted to joining the army. If you become a local official, you will at least be a county magistrate or a county magistrate of a small county."

Xu Shanming decided to join the Intelligence Agency because he could not see his future. He knew that the Sui Army was rewarded by merit and did not value qualifications and background. He was particularly attractive to lower-level officials like him who were poor. He heard that he could be the county magistrate, and he was immediately excited and said quickly: "Is there anything that the general wants to come to me?"

Lu Ping pondered for a moment and said, "I still need the military deployment map of the three counties."

Xu Shanming used the excuse of selling his home in his hometown and having some small money in his hand, so he bribed his immediate superior, Yang Zhuan Chuan, fifty-tenth of his loyalty. He now has a very harmonious relationship with the boss. Yang Zhuan gave him everything and was happy to be idle. This made Xu Shanming exposed to more confidential information.

Xu Shan understood Lu Ping's meaning and hurriedly said: "The last time the three maps can be used, the three counties have not changed. However, Wang Renze led 30,000 troops to Xiyang County. The latest map of the troops was delivered to the Ministry of War five days ago and is still in the hands of Yuanwailang. It usually takes only ten days to install the file and storehouse. If you are lucky, you can get it in three days, but it usually takes five days."

Lu Ping frowned and had to wait for five days, but it was urgently needed in the future! His Highness King Qi had already issued an order, and Liu Lancheng was waiting for his map.

"Why does it take so long?" Lu Ping asked in confusion.

"The Yuanwailang must first re-paint one. In fact, it is a routine matter and can be finished in one hour. However, now officials are very slow in doing things, and they will not take action until the last day."

Lu Ping suddenly became a little anxious and asked again: "Is there any way?"

Xu Shanming smiled: "It's a coincidence that there is a way. The head of the drawing under Yuanwailang, who is the person in charge of drawing, is Zhou Shuigen. He is a fellow villager. His wife gave birth to a son in her hometown last month. He was anxious to go home to visit relatives, but he happened to encounter an assassination case. He was only allowed to go into the city but not out of the city. Finally, he was able to cancel the city control today, so he was about to rush back. This morning, he asked me if I could take him for twenty days. I said I would go back and discuss with the chief clerk. Since the general needs the map in urgent need, I will go to find him later. I will start for him for twenty days tomorrow, and at the latest, I will give the map to the general tomorrow night."

Lu Ping was overjoyed, "If this matter is done, I will remember you for a great contribution."

Xu Shanming was worried that Zhou Shuigen would go to ask for help from others again, so he said goodbye and hurriedly went. Lu Ping looked at his back and walked away, and began to consider reinstalling Xu Shanming. He also knew that he would be reported by someone by bribery sooner or later, and it would be better to use his own people. Unfortunately, this Xu Shanming is just a small ninth-rank chief. If he is a Yuanwailang, then the latest maps he wants will not be a problem.

Lu Ping felt it was necessary to talk to Wang Shiyun, and said that Xu Shanming was his cousin. He believed that Wang Shiyun would give him this face.

In the Ye County military camp, Liu Lanchengzheng, Li Keshi and Zhang Li discussed a new action plan.

They received the order of King Qi three days ago, asking the Fenglei Army to attack the Tang army fleet again in Xiyang County as soon as possible. However, Liu Lancheng knew that the garrison in Xiyang County had changed, so Wang Shichong sent 30,000 more garrisons to Xiyang County. Liu Lancheng urgently needed to get the latest garrison map.

But Lu Ping's efficient style really surprised him. In just three days, Lu Ping's map was also sent to the military camp.

"The original military garrison has not changed, but the newly added 30,000 troops are basically stationed on the east coast of Danshui!"

Liu Lancheng pointed to the map on the table and said to the two deputy generals: "I guess the Tang Dynasty's fleet will no longer be docked and replenished. If the boatman attacks, the fleet will definitely cut off the ropes in time. The only way is to go into the water and directly get on the ship to control the first ship. What do you think?"

The three of them have been together for a long time and they all know each other well. Li Kexian smiled and said, "I think it is feasible, but I need to add something. We no longer have a chance on the east coast, so we can only go to the west coast."

The newly added 30,000 troops were basically deployed on the east bank of Danshui, and there were only 3,000 troops stationed in Nanxiang County on the west bank. There were many opportunities. Liu Lancheng pointed to the north of Danshui County on the map and said: "It seems that there is a newly built wooden bridge here. It was not last time, and it is at least ten miles away from the military camp. It is easy to be discovered during the day. We can use this bridge to cross Danshui at night."

After the three decided on the plan, they led their troops to set off again. After they had a map of the garrison of Wang Shichong's Ministry of War, they became more wings. This time they took a road north and also avoided all the garrisons far away, approaching Danshui thirty miles north of Danshui County.

When night fell, the scout came back and reported that there was indeed a newly built wooden bridge ten miles north of Danshui County, but there were no troops on both sides.

The three agreed that this must be because the Bingzhou incident affected the deployment of the Tang army, which led to the Tang army canceling the plan to attack Xiyang County. Therefore, Wang Renze also stopped sending troops to the west coast, and the newly built wooden bridge lost its place to use.

But this wooden bridge also gave them an unexpected surprise. The piers occupied most of the river surface, and the river channel that ships passed was not wide, and they had to sail close to the west coast.

In this way, he directly killed the ship from the west bank, and there was no need to go into the water to grab the first ship. One thousand soldiers, every ten soldiers were responsible for seizing one ship, and even if the other party came with a hundred ships, it would be enough.

At the third update, a thousand Sui troops silently crossed the wooden bridge and entered the mountains and forests on the west bank of Danshui to hide. At the same time, a fleet of fifty flat-bottomed ships arrived from the south loaded with pig iron and slowly passed through the water surface of Nanxiang County.
Chapter completed!