Li Hongxin's voice was calm, but Qining had already seen blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth. He instantly understood what was going on. His heart trembled, and he stood up slightly, but after standing up halfway, he slowly sat down.
Of course Li Hongxin already knew that he was at the end of his rope.
If the operation fails tonight, there will be no chance of recovery.
As he said, he was once the king of Xichuan. He had held back for many years and gave it a try. Even if he failed, he would not let the court decide his life or death.
Qi Ning knew that Li Hongxin should have taken the poison, but he really didn't see when he took it.
However, Li Hongxin made a desperate move tonight and was naturally prepared for the worst. He should have prepared the poison a long time ago. Seeing that he was unable to save his life, he took the poison while he was not paying attention.
Such a result may not be a bad thing. It would be a troublesome matter for Li Hongxin to be escorted to Beijing and tried and dealt with by the court. Since he committed suicide, he saved a lot of trouble.
And after all, this man was a generational hero in Xichuan, and by leaving in this way, he still maintained a trace of his dignity.
Qining is willing to give him the last bit of face.
Ximen Hengye was already dying, and his skin was as red as blood. Qining knew how he felt now, as if he was being burned by the fire of hell.
He knew how powerful the Yanyang Divine Palm was, but to torture a person into such a state was still beyond Qining's estimation.
"Your Majesty, my subordinate... I'll take the first step!" Apparently unable to bear the pain that was gnawing at his bones and burning his heart, Ximen Hengye's eyes were red. He raised his hand and slapped his own head hard. He wanted to die to relieve the pain, so he struck with all his strength. A palm fell on his head, and his brains burst out, and he fell to the ground crookedly.
Li Hongxin just glanced at it without any change in his expression. He turned to Qining and said, "Is Longtai going to attack the northwest?"
The corners of Qi Ning's eyes twitched, and Wei Shutong on the side also immediately showed a look of astonishment.
"Forcing me to take action is to set a trap to get rid of me." A strange smile appeared on Li Hongxin's face: "Chu State has tolerated me for twenty years, why is it suddenly anxious to get rid of me? ? It's just that there is a big move here, but I am afraid that I will take the opportunity to rise up." Blood bleeds from the corner of his mouth, but he remained calm and composed. He raised his hand and stroked his beard and said, "If there is any move in Xichuan, I will always be there. You are under surveillance, so you don’t have to rush to deal with me. Since you are so impatient, you can only take advantage of the opportunity and attack the northwest."
The attack on the northwest was a secret military plan of the Chu State, and even Wei Shutong, the governor of Xichuan, did not know about it until now.
Qi Ning was actually a little surprised when Li Hongxin said something. He was silent for a moment and finally said: "Back then, the Chu army spent a lot of effort to conquer Shu. Now it seems that it makes sense. The prince is indeed outstanding. Talent.”
"It's not your turn to judge how I am." More and more blood flowed from the corners of Li Hongxin's mouth, but he forced himself to sit upright in the chair and murmured: "Such a result, after all... is to let Some people feel unwilling...!" After saying that, he said nothing.
Wei Shutong saw Li Hongxin's head tilted slightly, glanced at Qining, and walked lightly to Li Hongxin's side. Seeing that Li Hongxin was motionless and couldn't feel his breathing, he reached out to the tip of Li Hongxin's nose and felt it. , then turned to Qining and said: "Sir, he... is dead!"
Qi Ning glanced at Li Hongxin, finally stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked out the door. After taking a few steps, he stopped and said: "Announcement to the whole city, Li Hongxin attacked the governor's mansion at night with the intention of treason, and was wiped out by the government. , along with the people who conspired to rebel...!" After a pause, he said: "All of them will be punished on the spot!"
At dawn, the smell of blood lingered in the air of Chengdu.
Duan Canghai beheaded Dai Ling, and led hundreds of his subordinates to be killed without leaving any trace. Wei Shu's colleagues had already made arrangements to detain all the Li clan members, and the Yiwei Escort Bureau that transported weapons into the city was also raided overnight. At dawn, the murderous atmosphere in the city subsided, and notices of Li Hongxin's rebellion were posted everywhere in the streets.
Of course, most people in the city knew nothing about this thrilling night. It wasn't until they saw the notices posted in the streets that they realized that something huge had happened overnight.
The Li family, which once made all the difference in Xichuan, disappeared overnight.
If it were twenty years ago, many people might not be able to adapt. After all, the people of Xichuan have always known that it was the Li family that controlled their destiny. However, since the Chu army captured Xichuan, and in the years since, Li Hongxin seemed to have changed from the king of Xichuan to a family man. People have gradually adapted to the absence of the Li family, so although the Shu king family disappeared overnight, apart from being surprised, people didn't have much emotion deep in their hearts.
In the Governor's Mansion, Qi Ning and Wei Shutong sat across from each other. They were silent for a long time and finally said: "If what Li Hongxin said is true, can it guarantee that we will have nothing to worry about?"
Wei Shutong was startled, but he immediately understood what Qi Ning meant. He stood up, walked to Qi Ning's side, thought for a moment, and then asked: "Sir, I dare to ask, is this trip to Xichuan really... Want to attack the northwest?"
"You haven't answered my question yet." Qining did not answer Wei Shutong's question.
Wei Shutong pondered for a moment and finally said: "Li Hongxin has been executed, and all the clan members have been detained on death row. According to the Lord's wishes, we are just waiting for the court to decide how to deal with it. As for anyone who is involved with the Li family, they are also It has been brought under control, and I can guarantee that Chengdu Mansion is under our control and there will never be any trouble."
Qi Ning nodded slightly.
Wei Shutong's words were a promise. He dared to make such a promise, of course, because he had enough understanding of Chengdu Fucheng.
"Li Hongxin is right." Qi Ning said slowly: "The imperial court wants me to gather troops and horses in Xichuan. When the Northwest Army under Beitang Huan enters Tongguan, we can quickly go north and use the fastest speed. Take Xianyang quickly and control Tongguan. As long as these two places are taken, Beitang Huan will be unable to return to the army for rescue. All he can do is to conquer Luoyang with all his strength."
Wei Shutong let out a long breath and said: "The emperor and the lord have foresight. Beitang Huan would never have thought that we would surprise Xianyang from Xichuan."
Qi Ning had previously told him that the purpose of gathering troops and horses was to exterminate Ksitigarbha, and he really had no doubts about it. But now he realized that Qining's target was not Ksitigarbha at all, but Xianyang in the northwest. If even he could not imagine where Qi Ning's target was, , how could anyone else think of it
Li Hongxin saw through Qi Ning's intentions before he died. Although it was surprising, Li Hongxin was a veteran on the battlefield. Back then, he and the Jinyi Lao Hou were fighting in the land of Xichuan. Being able to see through Qi Ning's thoughts is not a big deal. What an incredible thing.
"This is an adventure." Qi Ning said solemnly: "No one knows whether it will succeed or fail."
Wei Shutong also knows that war is unpredictable and there is no perfect plan in this world.
"Your Majesty, please give me whatever you can do." Wei Shutong's expression also became serious.
Of course he understood that the surprise attack on Xianyang was full of dangers, but it was also an unprecedented opportunity for him.
Qining can only mobilize the troops and horses from Xichuan to attack Xianyang, and the logistics can only be provided by Xichuan. He may not be able to lead the soldiers into the battle, but if he can guarantee Qining's plan, he will have no worries. The rear provides sufficient manpower and material support, so once this military adventure succeeds, he will definitely become an indispensable person in the merit list.
After the fall of Sima Lan, Longtai was actively taking control of the government, and naturally had to recruit many close ministers. If he could make a contribution in this operation, it would of course have a non-negligible impact on his future career.
"Who is stationed in Hanzhong now?" Qining thought for a moment before asking softly: "Is it reliable?"
Sima Lan said: "Reporting to your lord, the governor of Hanzhong is Ban Yun. Three thousand soldiers and horses are stationed there, but there are not many defenders in Nanzheng. The three thousand soldiers and horses are mainly used to guard several important roads in the Qinling Mountains. To prevent the Northern Han people from going south for a sneak attack." He lowered his voice and said: "Your Majesty wants to go north and pass through the Qinling Mountains. There are four roads that can pass through, but... If Your Majesty wants to attack Xianyang as quickly as possible, then the old road and Baoxie You can’t walk on the road.”
Qi Ning nodded slightly and said, "Go and call Duan Canghai over."
Wei Shutong knew that since the young prince had defeated Li Hongxin, the king of Shu, and ensured that there was no need to worry about the rear, he would naturally devote all his energy to the strategy of attacking Xianyang. At this time, he summoned Duan Canghai, as he had always wanted to do this. Duan Canghai was reused in military operations.
When Duan Canghai saw Qi Ning, Qi Ning had already spread out the map of Xichuan presented by Wei Shutong on the table. Naturally, he knew nothing about the plan to attack Xianyang. When he entered the house, Qin Ning Without waiting for him to salute, he waved to him. Duan Canghai approached and saw the map on the table. He felt suspicious. Qining waved to Wei Shutong who was following Duan Canghai. Wei Shutong also approached, and the two Standing to the left and right of Qi Ning, Qi Ning glanced at Duan Canghai, pointed to the Qinling Mountains on the map, and asked Duan Canghai: "If you were given a troop of troops and asked to raid Xianyang as quickly as possible, what would you choose? Do?"
Duan Canghai's expression suddenly changed and he lost his voice: "Sir, could it be...?"
"I asked you what would you choose to do?"
Duan Canghai's expression became solemn, he leaned down slightly, stared at the map for a moment, and finally raised his head and said: "Sir, to absorb Xianyang, you must pass through the Qinling Mountains. Of the four roads, you can only choose the Tangluo Road or the Ziwu Road. Comparatively speaking, the Tangluo Road is flatter and the march will be much faster, while the Ziwu Road is rugged, narrow and difficult to travel. Once the Northern Han people set up an ambush on the Ziwu Road, the consequences would be disastrous, but if they can pass through the Ziwu Road , we can arrive at Xianyang City within two days and kill the Northern Han people by surprise." He clenched his fists and said: "Since it is a surprise attack, it is natural to take risks. If I let my subordinates choose...!" He pointed with a finger. On the map: "Take the Meridian Road!"