Tantaihuang's body was wrapped in a quilt, but his hands were still cold. Qining's heart sank, knowing that the old prince might not be able to hold on for long.
Although Tantaihuang looked very weak, he still had a smile on his lips and said softly: "You are not afraid to come alone. It seems that the courage of the Jinyi Qi family still remains in you."
He still spoke clearly. Qining held his hand tightly and said: "Old Duke, I will go find the doctor right away and give it to you...!"
"Birth, old age, sickness and death, manpower is difficult to defeat." Tantai Huang said with a smile: "Don't worry about me. When it's time to leave, even if the Great Luo Jinxian comes to this world, he won't be able to keep me."
Qi Ning's expression was gloomy. Although there had been a deep estrangement between Jin Dao Tantai and Jin Yi Qi's family, during the days when he was in contact with Jin Dao Tantai's family, there was no deep hostility between the two parties, and he felt very sad. It is clear that the extremely frail old man in front of him was once a famous general who fought on the battlefield and made countless achievements for the Chu Empire. He is indeed an elder worthy of respect.
Since ancient times, famous generals are like beautiful women, and they are not allowed to grow old in the world.
"You have done a good job in the East China Sea." Tantai Huang said softly: "You have preserved the reputation of the Tantai family and stabilized the situation in the East China Sea for the court."
Qi Ning immediately said: "That is what juniors should do."
Tantaihuang shook his head and smiled: "People's hearts are cunning. There are not many people who offer help in times of trouble, but there are many who add insult to injury." At this point, he suddenly coughed violently. Qining suddenly became anxious. Tantaihuang took out a handkerchief and Covering his mouth, Qining said: "Old Duke, you should have a good rest, it's so late...!"
"Don't worry." Tantaihuang raised his hand and pointed to a small chair next to him: "Sit down first!"
Qining pulled up a small chair and sat down next to Tantaihuang. Tantaihuang then said: "Since the founding of Dachu, the journey has been extremely difficult. To this day, our Dachu is still suffering from internal and external troubles. If you are careful, you will end up in a situation where the country will be ruined and the family will be destroyed.”
Qi Ning looked serious and said: "After the emperor ascended the throne, he had ambitions. Given time, he will definitely make our country prosperous."
"The emperor will definitely become a good emperor." Tantai Huang said slowly: "It's just that no matter how wise the emperor is, he must have capable ministers and generals to fully assist him. We old ministers can no longer share the emperor's worries, and we can no longer fight for the court. The battlefield and these burdens all need to be borne by those of you who come after us."
Listening to his tone, Qi Ning knew that what he said was not polite words, but sincere expectations. He said respectfully: "Don't worry, old master, Qi Ning will do his best for the sake of Chu and the emperor."
Tantaihuang nodded slightly and said with a smile: "Among the younger generations, there are not many talents who can take charge of their own affairs. If you gain more experience, you will definitely become an important weapon of the country."
"The old man is overly praised."
"Remember, you will always be loyal to the emperor and always believe in the emperor." Tantai Huang said seriously: "The emperor is a promising king. With your assistance, our country, Chu, will definitely be able to prosper." Qin Ning coughed again. Looking at it, I sighed in my heart, secretly thinking that looking at this, Tantaihuang's deadline may be just these days.
Anxiety suddenly rose in his heart.
In today's court situation, among the original four hereditary families, the Sima family can be regarded as the only one. The other three families, whether it is the Jinyi Qijia or the Jindao Tantai, individually cannot compete with the Sima family in terms of strength. Because of this, Qi Ning has actually always hoped to form a political alliance with Jin Dao Tantai. The combined strength of the two families would be enough to make the Sima family fearful and dare not act rashly. Because of this, Qi Ning's handling of the East China Sea was actually Shang also sent a clear signal of alliance to the Jindao Tantai family.
In political disputes, it is never the case that whoever has the loudest voice can win. Both parties in the fight have accumulated their own strength, and when they have to fight, they will rely solely on their own strength to fight it out.
Nowadays, the only military boss left in the empire is Tantai Huang.
As long as Tantaihuang exists, the Sima family will be wary of it. After all, this veteran's influence in the military is unique. The Tantai family has always kept a low profile, but no one knows that one day the veteran Tantaihuang will take action. At that time, how powerful it was, a cunning and cunning person like Sima Lan, we had to consider the strength of Tantaihuang. Therefore, although he had power over the ruling party, he was not completely unscrupulous after all.
However, if Tantai Huang passes away, one of the powerful weapons that intimidate Sima Lan will disappear. At that time, the situation in the court will be more powerful for the Sima family. On the other hand, if the Jinyi Qi family disappears, once Tantai Huang's threat to Sima Lan disappears, then from now on The Jinyi Qi family will have to face the Sima family alone, and will become the biggest thorn in the Sima family's side. This is exactly the situation Qi Ning least wants to see.
Without Tantai Huang and Tantai Zhilin, the Tantai family would be like a tiger without teeth, like a sick cat, and would not even be taken seriously by anyone.
Since the death of the old Marquis of Wuxiang, the Su family of Wuxiang has been struggling to survive. There is only a standing position in the court, but no speaking position.
After the death of Qi Jing, the Jinyi Qi family actually lost direct control over the Qinhuai Army. Although Qining suddenly emerged and could barely support it, the only trump card they could directly use was the weak Black Scale Battalion.
On the contrary, the Sima family holds the Black Sword Camp, and has already taken the Xuanwu Camp in their hands. They even sent Sima Changshen to the Qinhuai Army to seize military power. Once Tantaihuang passes away, Sima Lan will let him take over the power. Qining believes that he will not be able to use it. Soon, the Sima family will not only be able to control the troops and horses near the capital, but Sima Changshen will also create a climate in the Qinhuai Army. As a result, the military and political affairs will fall into the hands of the Sima family, and there will no longer be an unrivaled opponent in the court.
"There are changes in the north, but it is a great opportunity." Tantaihuang said slowly: "Qining, do you think this opportunity can be missed?"
Qi Ning shook his head and said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that cannot be missed. The imperial court has formed an alliance with the Eastern Qi people, and the two countries have joined forces to attack the Han Dynasty. The emperor is about to go to Pinglin for the Autumn Hunting to boost morale. After the Autumn Hunting, troops should be sent out for the Northern Expedition soon. ”
Tantai Huang said: "Do you think this is a good opportunity for the Northern Expedition?"
Qi Ning was startled and felt that there was something in Tantai Huang's words. He hesitated and then said: "Several princes of the Northern Han Dynasty are vying for the throne. Now they are fighting each other. It is said that the fifth son Beitang Zhao has won over the border troops and has already killed them. Towards Luoyang, the sixth son Beitang Hao also summoned soldiers and horses near Luoyang to compete with Beitang Zhao. As for the fourth son Beitang Feng, he ran to Xianyang and relied on the strength of his uncle Qu Yuangu to advance into Tongguan. , and pounced on Luoyang. The Northern Han Dynasty is now surrounded by civil wars and is in disarray. At this time, if we, the Great Chu, unite with the Eastern Qi people in the Northern Expedition, we will definitely gain something."
Although Tantaihuang's voice was weak, his mind was still very clear: "In your opinion, once the Northern Expedition is launched, will we have the strength to attack the Northern Han Dynasty in one fell swoop?"
Qi Ning pondered for a moment and then said: "Old Duke, things on the battlefield are changing rapidly. Before the war begins, it is difficult to determine who will win and who will lose. Although the Northern Han Dynasty is in civil strife, it is powerful after all. Since it can hold a stalemate with our great Chu It has been undefeated for decades, and there are many elite soldiers and generals in it. Our Northern Expedition to Da Chu is to go abroad to fight, far away from the homeland. Compared with the two countries, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, so... I dare not say that the Northern Expedition will definitely win. "
Tantaihuang's eyes showed a trace of relief and said: "You can think of this, it is already very difficult. Many people in the court only thought that this Northern Expedition, the civil strife in the Northern Han Dynasty, and our joint forces with the Eastern Qi Dynasty, would be successful in one fell swoop." Shaking his head. He sighed and said, "Those are the views of a scholar. If your father were still alive, he would never have such an idea." He motioned for Qi Ning to come closer, and Qi Ning stepped forward. Tantai Huang then said softly: "The civil strife in the Northern Han Dynasty. For me, Dachu, it is indeed a God-given opportunity, but it is not a good opportunity to defeat the Northern Han Dynasty, but... a good opportunity to capture the Eastern Qi Dynasty!"
Qi Ning's expression suddenly changed, but Tantai Huang's eyes were extremely deep, and he whispered: "You didn't expect that?"
"Old Duke, you mean to take advantage of the civil strife in the Northern Han Dynasty, we... attack and destroy the Eastern Qi Dynasty?" Qi Ning was horrified, never expecting that Tantai Huang would have such a plan.
Tantaihuang said slowly: "The Northern Han Dynasty is by no means a country that can be pacified in one battle, not only because the strength of the Northern Han Dynasty cannot be underestimated, but also because there is still a huge variable in the Northern Han Dynasty."
"variable?"
"Chanling Marquis Beitangqing!" Tantaihuang said word by word: "Your father Qi Jing is an unparalleled general, and the military strategy ability of Changling Marquis Beitangqing is by no means inferior to your father. Beitangqing led the Han Dynasty back then. The Southern Army was in a stalemate with your father at the Qinhuai River. The two of them tried their best, but it was still just a tie. Our Chu army did not win a single piece of land from Beitang Qing."
Qi Ning nodded slightly and said: "Juniors also know that Beitang Qing is the number one general of the Northern Han Dynasty and has a very high prestige in the hearts of the Han army, but... I heard that he suddenly disappeared many years ago. Now the Southern Army The commander-in-chief is Zhong Li’ao.”
"No one knows whether he is dead or alive." Tantai Huang said: "Once the coalition forces invade the Northern Han Dynasty, the Northern Han people will not sit still and wait for death. They will definitely end the civil strife and unanimously resist our attack. Yue Huanshan versus Zhong Li'ao , there is a good chance of winning, but once Beitang Qing is still alive and the Northern Han Dynasty hands military power into his hands in times of crisis, the consequences will be disastrous, and Yue Huanshan is no match for Beitang Qing." After a pause. , and then sighed: "Looking at our generals in Da Chu, there is no opponent who can match Beitang Qing."
Tantaihuang has been fighting all his life, so Qining certainly trusts his judgment.
He suddenly realized that if the Chu State really devoted all its strength to attack the Northern Han Dynasty, once Beitang Qing appeared, the Chu army would be in danger when faced with such a terrifying opponent as Beitang Qing. The failure of the Northern Expedition would, after all, lead to domestic turmoil for the Chu State, and no one could predict the situation in the world.
Know yourself and your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without danger.
But the biggest problem of the Chu State now is that it does not know whether Beitang Qing is dead or alive. If Beitang Qing is really dead, taking this opportunity to expedition to the north is not without hope, but if Beitang Qing is still alive, and the north is If the Han took him as their commander in times of crisis, it would be a huge disaster for the Chu army.