Qi Ning shook his head and said, "Just stay in the capital and I will handle the matter myself."
"No." Ximen Zhanying said immediately: "I will follow you wherever you go. There are so many evil people in Xichuan, I can't let you go alone."
Qi Ning gently hugged Ximen Zhanying and said softly: "Silly girl, it's not like you don't know what your husband is capable of. No matter how powerful the evil person is, can he be more evil than me? If you stay in the capital, you will naturally have something to do. Yes, the third senior brother has been imprisoned in the Shenhou Mansion Prison. No matter how he is dealt with in the end, his father-in-law will be sad because of this matter. His old man is not in good health. If there is no one to take care of him at this time, what will happen to you and me? Can you leave safely?"
Ximen Zhanying frowned, with a look of hesitation between her brows. Qi Ning kissed her forehead and said softly: "If my father-in-law is so angry, others may not be able to persuade him. You stay with my father-in-law." Not only can I take care of my father-in-law, but if there is any emergency, I can also be there to persuade him."
Ximen Zhanying naturally knows her father's character very well. She also knows that when Ximen Wuhen is really angry, she is the only one who dares to persuade her. What she is most worried about is her father's health. Ximen Wuhen's body is already very bad. No, it would be hard to accept if he knew that the disciple he had worked so hard to cultivate actually knew the law and violated the law and did cruel things.
"But... But you go by yourself, I'm so worried." Ximen Zhanying's eyebrows were full of worry.
Qi Ning smiled slightly and then said: "Your husband-in-law is a man who cherishes his life. If there is real danger, he will run faster than anyone else. Silly girl, it is almost dawn, and the trip to Xichuan cannot be delayed. I must enter the palace immediately to see the emperor. Discuss the matter of Xichuan." Putting his hands on Ximen Zhanying's shoulders, he said warmly: "Please help me pack my luggage. When I come back, I may leave Beijing."
Ximen Zhanying also knew that going to Xichuan was an urgent matter, so she really didn't want to delay too long. She was naturally different from ordinary girls. Not only could she not be a hindrance to Qi Ning at this time, but she wanted to help Qi Ning. She nodded and said: "Then you hurry into the palace and I'll help you pack up here."
Qining approached Ximen Zhanying and kissed her on the lips, then turned and left without saying anything.
When Qi Ning rushed outside the palace, it was already dark. It was not yet time to enter the palace, and the palace door was closed. Qi Ning revealed his identity to the palace gate guard, and someone went to report it. It took a long time before someone came to open it. He opened the door and let Qining into the palace, telling the emperor to meet him in the imperial study. Qining now knew the route to the palace quite clearly, and went straight to the imperial study. Longtai had not arrived yet, so he could only wait outside the door.
After waiting for a while, he saw Fan Dehai leading Long Tai over. Although the sky was faintly red, the rising sun had not risen. Long Tai had obviously just gotten up. When he saw Qi Ning, he just winked and signaled Qi Ning to follow him into the study. Inside, before he sat down, he asked: "You came here early in the morning, so of course you have urgent matters. Where are they?"
"Nishikawa!"
"Nishikawa?"
Qi Ning immediately recounted the tragedy of the massacre in Heiyan Cave. Longtai's face was solemn, but his eyes were still clear, and he asked: "Back then, Heiyan Cave was slandered as a rebel, and the real mastermind behind the scenes has not yet been found. This time it should be again That’s what those people did.”
"I am also so suspicious." Qi Ning frowned and said, "And I thought that the other party had already laid a trap over there."
"trap?"
"Those murderers can kill people silently and wantonly in Heiyan Cave, but the Miao people in Heiyan Cave can't even find their traces. This shows that they have completely controlled the geography of Heiyan Cave." Qining said: "Heiyan Cave Sect It is a natural thing for people to ask for help from outside, but it must be something that those people are well aware of. They must have monitored all the roads leading out of Heiyan Cave. I think that if they want to block Heiyan Cave from asking for help from outside, The route is really not difficult.”
"I understand what you mean." Longtai said: "Are you saying that the Miao man who was able to rush to the capital to ask you for help was deliberately released by them?"
Qi Ning nodded and said: "That's right. I suspect that such a tragedy happened in Heiyan Cave. The target of the murderers was not Heiyan Cave, but me." After a pause, he sneered and said: "Last time they wanted to slander Heiyan Cave. The cave rebelled, and even tried to provoke a war between the Miao family's 72 caves and the imperial court, but they failed because of me. I think those people must hate me to the core."
Longtai smiled lightly and said: "You are a hero of Dachu, and of course you are a thorn in the side of those rebels. Qining, do you suspect that they are planning to lure you to Xichuan?"
"Heiyandong and the Jinyi Qi family already have a connection, and what happened last time also made Heiyandong have a close relationship with me." Qining said: "Those people naturally know that once Heiyandong really encounters the big one, Trouble, if you need the help of the court, Heiyan Cave will definitely find you. If you just kill a few people in Heiyan Cave or even entangle them, the people in Heiyan Cave will not think that the sky is falling, and most of the Miao people really Whenever something happens, I always solve it myself, and I won’t seek help from the court unless I have to.”
Longtai nodded slightly and said: "This is not the fault of the Miao people. It is because the imperial court's favor to them is too shallow, so that they do not really trust the imperial court."
"Your Majesty, the Holy Ming." Qi Ning cupped his hands and continued: "So this time they were killing and killing people in the Black Rock Cave. Not only were they killing people and setting fires, but they also killed Bayali, the master of the Black Rock Cave, and even killed many victims. The heads were hung. Although this made the Miao people feel sad and angry, it also made them feel terrified. Under this situation, the people in Heiyan Cave felt that a disaster was imminent, so it was natural for them to ask for help from the court, and I also thought that this was the accomplice. The ultimate purpose of the hand.”
Longtai frowned and said, "In that case, your trip to Xichuan is naturally very dangerous." He pondered for a moment and then asked, "What are you going to do?"
"This group of people has revived and dared to make such a big noise in Xichuan. I feel that they may have a bigger conspiracy." Qi Ning frowned and said: "The emperor is preparing for the Northern Expedition. I am only worried that someone secretly wants to destroy Dachu. Strategy, once something happens in Xichuan, the imperial court must first stabilize the situation in Xichuan, otherwise it will inevitably ruin the emperor's important affairs."
Longtai nodded and said: "What I am most worried about is the internal strife that occurs before the external enemies are defeated." After a brief pause, he said: "I have been considering candidates these days. The Northern Expedition was used as a cover to capture the Eastern Qi first. Naturally, this cannot be changed. Beitang Fengtun troops are stationed at Tongguan, and all the elite troops from the northwest are coming out. If we cannot take this opportunity to capture the northwest, we will miss a good opportunity."
"Who is the emperor planning to send to attack the northwest?"
"I was previously thinking that Yue Huanshan would lead the Northern Expedition as a cover for you, and you would lead the troops to attack the Eastern Qi." Longtai said: "So I have been thinking about who should attack the northwest. Now it seems that it is you who should attack the northwest. I will choose another person from Dong Qi who is the most suitable."
Qi Ning was stunned, but Long Tai had already said: "To attack the northwest, we must do it suddenly, and we must not let Beitangfeng see the clues. From Xichuan to the northwest, we have to climb mountains and ridges, and there are only steep trails. As long as Beitangfeng is aware of it, If there is any movement on our side, he will definitely be wary of us. As long as he guards those dangerous roads, his plan to attack Xianyang will fail."
Qi Ning understood and said: "The emperor wants me to enter Xichuan in the name of investigating the Black Rock Cave incident, so that everyone will think that I went to Xichuan because of internal troubles in Xichuan, and secretly prepare to attack Xianyang?"
Longtai's eyes were sharp, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he nodded: "Yes, when I was considering the candidates to attack Xianyang these days, I have been thinking about how to conceal our purpose of attacking Xianyang. No matter who is sent there, as long as they are in Xichuan Reorganizing the troops will inevitably arouse alertness in the northwest, but this incident in the Black Cave was a blessing from God."
"Hundreds of people were massacred in Heiyan Cave. As long as such things are spread, it will definitely alarm the entire Xichuan." Qining said: "It is natural for the imperial court to send people to deal with this matter."
Longtai nodded and said: "Heiyandong is a citizen of Da Chu. Some people are killing my people of Da Chu. It is a logical thing to mobilize soldiers and horses in Xichuan to surround and suppress the rebels. When you arrive in Xichuan, you can mobilize all the soldiers and horses there in a fair and just manner. , the northwest side will never think that your purpose is to go to Xianyang. In addition, Miao Family Seventy-Two Cave will definitely return to the court when they see that I sent you to rescue Heiyan Cave. If you can quickly solve Xichuan If that group of traitors finds another opportunity to capture Xianyang, it will be a great achievement."
Qining thought that this layout was indeed not bad, but it was simple to say, but not easy to do.
After all, there is a plan to attack Xianyang, but it is really not easy to wipe out the so-called rebels in Xichuan. Until now, neither Qining nor the court itself can even determine who the gang is and what their strength is. Like a shadow shrouded in smoke, its existence can be seen but cannot be grasped.